Adrian Seconi

The Otago Sparks have inched closer to a spot in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final later this month.

The Highlanders ended a chaotic week in the world of Super Rugby Pacific with a decent showing in their final preseason hit-out.

It was too damp at Sunnyvale but there was some Dunedin declaration cricket played at Tonga Park and Logan Park on Saturday.

Dot, dot, ding.

Dunstan Arm Rowing Club is bound to scoop a heap of medals at the New Zealand rowing championships in Twizel next week.

Close but no Covid ... yet.

Veteran Otago batter Neil Broom will sign off at the end of the season.

Ross Taylor was back at the scene of one his most inspiring innings at the weekend.

Some hard hitting from Sophie Devine and a clutch of wickets from the Kerr sisters helped New Zealand beat India by 18 runs in a one-off twenty20 international in Queenstown yesterday.

Otago captain Hamish Rutherford has received a surprise test recall seven years after his previous appearance for the side.

The Otago Sparks will have to wait to see if they have done enough to reach the final after falling to a 49-run loss to Wellington in Oamaru yesterday.

That is in the slot.

The Otago Sparks will debut a new generation of players in Oamaru this weekend.

Otago Sparks coach Craig Cumming is at a loss to explain why Kate Ebrahim was overlooked for the World Cup squad.

Otago's one-dayer against Central Districts in Dunedin yesterday was abandoned without a ball bowled due to poor weather.

Otago will go into one-dayers against Central Districts in Dunedin today and on Sunday with extra bowling resources.