A record opening partnership between Bella James and Kate Ebrahim guided Otago to a 37-run Hallyburton Johnstone Shield victory against the Central Hinds yesterday.
It was the Sparks’ second win against the Hinds in two days, after beating them by four wickets in a Super Smash game at Saxton Oval in Nelson on Saturday.
With Suzie Bates sitting out both matches, James and Ebrahim combined to push the Sparks to a strong total.
They put on 180 runs for the opening wicket, setting a record opening partnership for the Sparks against the Hinds.
James produced her maiden List A century and was pure class, finishing with 101 runs off 120 balls, including nine fours.
She was thrilled to reach the century milestone.
"It’s very pleasing. Nice to finally come off after a few years but just I guess the practice in the nets and all the rest of it and game time pays off in the end," James said.
"I’ve had a summer over in the UK, just spending time in the middle and learning how to build an innings a bit better and kind of just trusting yourself. Trust your game and just keep sticking with it because if you keep trusting your processes it just pays off."
Ebrahim continued her excellent form with the bat, producing 81 runs off 119 before she was bowled by Ashutiti Kumar.
Caitlin Blakely (8) went lbw to Kumar and Polly Inglis’ (30) wicket also went to Kumar.
Felicity Leydon-Davis, who took over the captaincy, added 19 while Olivia Gain finished not out for 17.
The Sparks finished their innings with a solid 272 for five.
In reply, Molly Loe made the breakthrough for the Sparks in the eighth over, taking the wicket of Emily Cunningham (9).
The Hinds scored 85 runs before Sophie Oldershaw took two quick wickets of Georgia Atkinson (40) and Jess Watkin (0).
Opening batter Natalie Dodd played a composed innings of 83 off 91 balls before she was stumped by Inglis off a Blakely ball.
Blakely was outstanding with the ball, taking a career-best four for 45 as well as effecting a run out, and Oldershaw took three for 45.
"I think [it] was an all team performance. Everyone chipped in. Awesome to see Caitlin bowl through 10 [and] pick up her career-best figures ... I think everyone played a part," James said.
Hayley Jensen and Eden Carson both sat out the game for the Sparks.
In Saturday’s Super Smash game, Emma Black opened and took down Atkinson (2), when she cut her shot to James, who took a stunning low catch at short leg.
Black was the star for the Sparks bowling attack, taking four for 15 in her spell.
The Hinds finished 130 for nine at the end of 20 overs.
James opened the batting alongside Olivia Gain.
Gain was electric and found some form to produce a great innings and her highest Super Smash total of 43 off 34 balls, including five fours and two sixes.
James (23) and Ebrahim (26) chipped in and Jensen swept away a lovely six to finish 136 for six.
Hallyburton Johnstone Shield
Otago
K Ebrahim b Kumar 81 (101)
B James c Hansen b Atkinson 101 (120)
C Blakely lbw b Kumar 8 (7)
F Leydon-Davis b Watkin 19 (19)
P Inglis c Atkinson b Kumar 30 (24)
O Gain not out 17 (10)
S Wilson not out 1 (2)
Extras (2lb, 12wd, 1nb): 15
Total (for five wkts in 50 overs): 272
Fall: 1-180, 2-198, 3-207, 4-250, 5-264.
Bowling: R Mair 8-0-40-0, C Green 8-0-35-0, J Watkin 10-0-48-1, M Hansen 6-0-40-0, F Devonshire 5-0-33-0, G Atkinson 5-0-26-1, A Kumar 8-0-48-3.
Central Districts
N Dodd st Inglis b Blakely 83 (91)
E Cunningham c Adamsn b Loe 9 (21)
G Atkinson lbw b Oldershaw 40 (52)
J Watkin b Oldershaw 0 (2)
K Tomlinson b Blakely 20 (36)
M Greig c Leydon-Davis b Ebrahim 29 (36)
R Mair run out Blakely 5 (6)
M Hansen b Blakely 13 (16)
F Devonshire b Oldershaw 11 (11)
A Kumar st Inglis b Blakely 5 (6)
C Green not out 4 (3)
Extras (3lb, 12wd, 1lb): 16
Total (46.3 overs): 235
Fall: 1-33, 2-118, 3-118, 4-160, 5-175, 6-184, 7-212, 8-216, 9-227.
Bowling: E Black 9-0-41-0, G Adams 5-1-26-0, M Loe 5-0-35-1, S Oldershaw 9.3-1-45-3, K Ebrahim 8-0-40-1, C Blakely 10-0-45-4
Result: Otago won by 37 runs.
