Six out of the 10 rounds for 2020/21 are done and dusted and already we’ve seen six centuries, two stunning five-wicket bags, and some serious statchat. And, not all of it involved Canterbury.
But first...
CANTERBURY MAGIC!
Take a bow, Frankie Mackay. The Canterbury Magicians legend is virtually writing her own almanack. Every time she scores a century, she breaks her own record: no one has scored more than 13. Her baker's dozen came up this summer in the opening match in Oamaru.
Mackay's 145 as a youngster in 2010/11 is still the highest ever individual score for the Magicians; she and Amy Satterthwaite also share the record for most hundreds in a season (four) for the side.
But on Sunday, she knocked the big one off.
Until Sunday, the New Zealand record for most career runs in the List A competition belonged to Sara McGlashan, who held it with 4,552 runs from cumulative appearances for the Central Hinds and then Auckland Hearts.
Mackay already owned the record for most runs for a single team, natch. But with her knock of 68 against the Blaze she claimed the outright lead and will head into 2021 with 4,577 runs from 112 appearances (the second most appearances for Canterbury all time, behind Satts).
So every time Frankie gets a run from here, it's a record day for the Mags.
PHOTOSPORT
A quirky look now around the other five teams - who's got the most runs in each colour?
Auckland — Emily Drumm 3436
New Zealand's only World Cup winning captain's record is safe for a while yet, current veteran Katie Perkins is some distance behind in second at 2675.
Central Districts — Sara McGlashan 3020
Of current Central Hinds players, the ballistic Jess Watkin is closest, having just reached an even 1500 in the latest round. Five players are ahead of her but another 82 runs will see her overtake former Hind Kate Ebrahim.
Northern Districts — Nic Browne 3893
Closest current ND star: Katie Gurrey, a long way back on 1590. Nat Dodd had 2958 before she went off the CD to break records there instead.
Wellington — Sophie Devine 2561
We bet she got them fast, too.
Otago — Suzie Bates 4330
You might think there'd be no prizes for guessing this one, but Katey Martin has been around for even longer and, with Batesy injured, could well overhaul the fellow Sparks ledge this season. After her century in the latest round, Martin's sitting on 4215. Watch this space.
PHOTOSPORT
FIVE-WICKET BAGGERS
In a format where a four-for is a statistical benchmark, the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield has seen not one, but two absolute stunners of a five-wicket bag from the pre-Christmas rounds.
All torque | PHOTOSPORT
Kate Chandler's bag in just her third game for Wellington Blaze made headlines around the world because of the schoolgirl's age: just weeks after her 14th birthday. So far, no one's dug up anyone younger worldwide to have taken a List A five-wicket bag. What an amazing claim to fame. Is she all torque? One to watch, for sure.
Jacinta Savage had a standout day with both bat and ball - a career best in both - when she claimed 6/18 for the Canterbury Magicians against ND... just the second best ever figures all-time for the red and black women.
To be fair, ex-WHITE FERN and ornithophobe (which made playing cricket at admirable achievement in itself) Rebecca Steele's 6-8 will take some beating in the six-fa department, but out of nowhere Savage came remarkably close.
PHOTOSPORT
FUN RUNS
Guess who’s the leading Hallyburton Johnstone Shield runscorer? What if we said from Here to Maternity? Or Maternity to Here. Big enough clue?
PHOTOSPORT
Having a year off to have a baby hasn't slowed down Kate Ebrahim at all. In fact, it's sped her up and she's playing with her own successful mix of thunder and freedom. Top run-scorer so far this season with 328 from six innings, at 65.50 and a big part of the Magicians' campaign that sees them level on points at the top with the Hinds.
The 200-plus runs club:
Kate Ebrahim as above, 1 x 100, 2 x 50.
Brooke Halliday (ND) 264 from 6 innings at 52.80, 1 x maiden 100, 1 x 50. Breakout season, outshining ND's regular performers.
Natalie Dodd (Hinds) 248 from 6 innings at (this is not a misprint) a 124 average after 4 red-inkers, including 1 x 100, 1 x 50. Dodd also now has the Hinds record for most hundreds (3) and she's only been there five minutes. Dodd is a machine, and the high average has come partly from the Hinds chasing down their targets so quickly, for whopping wins.
Jess McFadyen (Blaze) 244 at 61, 1 x 100, 1 x 50, another rising star of the capital, what a big 18 months in her career it's been and sharp as a tack behind the stumps.
Frankie The Usual Suspect Mackay. 244 at 40.66, 1 x 100, 1 x 50, lean by her own standards.
Caitlin Blakely (Sparks). 205 at 41.00 which is no mean feat when your team's struggling to get a win (we won't mention how long it's been in this format).
Not in this club yet, and the only other player with a century to date in 2020/21, is fellow Sparkie Katey Martin who is averaging 62.00 from her two innings to date.
RANDOM STATCHAT
For the highest one-day strike rate, look no further than Jess Watkin: 158.49. She murders spinners and she's hit 10 sixes which is more than three times anyone else. They go a loooong way. Also one of the most economical bowlers around, her ER of 2.52 bettered this season solely by Arlene Kelly of the Auckland Hearts (with 1-5 off six overs for the season, after returning from surgery).
Most wickets? Yep, Watkin again - and Magicians pair Sarah Asmussen and Savage. All three have 11, but Savage has done it from just four games.
Most maiden overs? Again, Watkin way out in front of the pack with 11. Still only 22, the big talent couldn't get a game on the WHITE FERNS' most recent tour, but keeps turning on the game-breaking form domestically with bat and ball.
PHOTOSPORT
Most dismissals: This column has been brought to you by the number 11. Blaze's McFadyen has eight catches and three stumpings; ND's young Olivia Lobb nine catches and two stumpings.
With form like this in the one-day arena, buckle up for Dream11 Super Smash starting this Christmas Eve at the Basin!
