Final countdown

2019 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield GRAND FINAL

Central Hinds v Auckland Hearts

Pukekura Park, New Plymouth

10.30 am | Saturday 9 March 2019

FREE ADMISSION

AUCKLAND HEARTS

Status: Defending champions. The well drilled Auckland Hearts have depth, experience and have won the one-day title three times in the last four seasons.

Qualified: Second by virtue of slightly lower net run rate

2018/19 Record: Won eight, dropped two

Road to the Grand Final

ROUND ONE

Lauren Down narrowly misses a maiden century but it's a win for the Hearts regardless

ROUND TWO

An eight-wicket bonus point away win in Christchurch has the Hearts' defence humming already

ROUND THREE

A tight win in difficult conditions shows the Hearts' class against Northern Spirit

ROUND FOUR

Opening batting star Lauren Down breaks through with her maiden one-day century as the Hearts win again

ROUND FIVE

A seven-wicket away win against the Sparks keeps the slick Hearts machine rolling

ROUND SIX

The Hearts stay unbeaten after six rounds and a successful trip to Dunedin

ROUND SEVEN

The Hearts host the Hinds and lock in the first spot in the Final despite a Natalie Dodd century

ROUND EIGHT

Revenge as the Hinds become the first team to beat the Hearts all season

ROUND NINE

A tense win for the Hearts at Colin Maiden Park with the Blaze capitulating at the death after having had the chase in control

ROUND TEN

The Blaze came storming back to finish the regular season on a high, denying the Hearts the home final they had hoped for

CENTRAL HINDS

Status: Top qualifier. Serious fightback from the 2017/18 season in which they finished fifth, and won only two games. Also a complete form reversal from the Burger King Super Smash this season in which the Hinds were unable to get a win, although came closest to doing so against the Auckland Hearts at Pukekura Park which should see both teams taking confidence into their one-day Grand Final at the same venue. The Hinds last won the national one-day crown in 2009/10, when Aimee Watkins's team won both formats, so it's been a while between drinks with the pressure of Finals new to most of the team.

Qualified: Top by virtue of a higher net run rate after a strong final weekend snuck them past the Hearts

2018/19 Record: Won eight, dropped two

Road to the Grand Final

ROUND ONE

In her first one-day match for her new team, Natalie Dodd guides the Hinds to a nine-wicket bonus point win in New Plymouth

ROUND TWO

A 10-wicket victory over Northern Spirit at Pukekura Park has the Hinds off to a flier after a perfect opening weekend

ROUND THREE

A five-wicket bag for Monique Rees keeps the Hinds in charge with a 124-run win against the Blaze

ROUND FOUR

The Hinds machine blows away the Blaze in Palmerston North

ROUND FIVE

The unbeaten Hinds nudged back into the lead on the table with a bonus point win away to the Magicians

ROUND SIX

First loss of the campaign in a last-over finish as a Frances Mackay masterclass delivers a seven-wicket win for the hosts Canterbury Magicians. Bittersweet game for Hinds captain Anlo van Deventer who scored her maiden century

ROUND SEVEN

The Hearts host the Hinds in a riveting clash and take out the first game despite a Natalie Dodd century

ROUND EIGHT

Revenge at a dry Melville Park as the Hinds become the first team to beat the Hearts all season

ROUND NINE

A bonus point win over the Otago Sparks in Palmy as the Hinds qualify for the Grand Final

ROUND TEN

Hinds break a raft of national List A records with a batting blitz against the Otago Sparks, two big centuries and a Mikaela Greig five-wicket bag