Just one point now separates the Central Hinds, Canterbury Magicians and Auckland Hearts at the top of the national one-day table, meaning the final two rounds at Pukekura Park are the crunch encounters for our Hinds to make the 2021 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final.

While the Hinds will be hosting fourth-placed Northern Spirit in New Plymouth on the weekend of 13-14 March, the Hearts and Magicians will meanwhile be playing each other - a scenario that could play into the Hinds' hands as they attempt to qualify for the 1v2 Final, and even host it if they can finish top of the ladder.

 

 

Anything is possible and that's all because of an excellent win against the Canterbury Magicians on Sunday in Rangiora, after an unbeaten century from Kate Ebrahim had taken the game and the lead away from the Hinds on Saturday.

Thanks to a bonus point on Saturday, the Canterbury Magicians managed to hold on to their newly acquired Hallyburton Johnstone Shield lead and the Hinds were disappointed to miss out on a bonus point themselves after having quickly turned the tables on the Mags, but four points nonetheless keeps the dangerous green team well positioned.

After captain ANLO VAN DEVENTER won the toss, the Hinds made a strong start with the ball at Mainpower Oval, JESS WATKIN opening with a maiden to Ebrahim and CLAUDIA GREEN likewise tight at the top - before the change bowlers, MELISSA HANSEN and MONIQUE REES, reaped the rewards, each with a wicket in their first over.

The early loss of yesterday's centurion Ebrahim was a big blow for Canterbury, bringing debutante Abigale Gerken to the middle with the powerful Nat Cox (34).
 

CLAUDIA GREEN | PHOTOSPORT

The beginnings of their partnership brought some promise for the hosts, but Gerken's fall in the 20th set off a chain reaction - the Magicians suddenly finding themselves 95/6 inside 27 overs as the Hinds got well on top with their consistent work with the ball.

Spinners Watkin (3-17) and ASHTUTI KUMAR - coming into the XI for ANNA GAGING on the used surface - were difficult to get away through the middle, and the pressure on the Magicians to elevate their score at the death brought Watkin two wickets in three balls, and the Hinds three wickets in four balls as GEORGIA ATKINSON (4-50) then struck again with the first ball of the 46th.

Dismissed for 182 in the 47th, the Magicians could thank keeper-batsman Laura Hughes (51 off 68) and captain Gabby Sullivan for giving their bowlers a shot at something to bowl at with their 83-run stand for the seventh wicket, but it was a vulnerable tally if the Hinds got going in the chase.

And get going they did, thanks to Watkin producing a run-a-ball half century at the top: 66 off 68 balls with three sixes and five boundaries peppering her fluid shot-making.

She gave her side momentum and, despite economical performances from Jess Simmons (3-35) and Sullivan (2-26) and a fight with the ball that ensured the Hinds would not race home for a bonus point, the Hinds got across the line with more than eight overs to spare.

The leveller was the perfect way to spring back from Saturday, a game in which identical Nelson twins KATE GAGING and ANNA GAGING (below) made their List A debuts side by side, Kate stepping in as wicketkeeper with NATALIE DODD away with the WHITE FERNS.

Article added: Tuesday 23 February 2021