The Otago Sparks made a bright start to the season with a comprehensive eight-wicket win against Auckland in a twenty20 match at Eden Park Outer Oval yesterday.
The Sparks restricted Auckland to 120 for six thanks to some tight bowling from left-arm spinner Morna Nielsen (one for 12) and pace bowler Georgia Clarke.
The pair conceded just 24 runs between them.
Auckland captain and opener Victoria Lind led the charge for the home side with 57 from 48 deliveries.
She combined in 64-run opening stand with Samantha Curtis (24 from 37 deliveries). No-one else was able to make a significant contribution.
Otago's Millie Cowan, who had a fine match, struck late, picking up two for 24 from three overs.
The Sparks made light work of the chase with White Ferns captain Suzie Bates moving into her stride quickly.
She teamed up with fellow opener Cowan (21 from 27) and the pair added 73 for the first wicket.
Bates was out for 52 from 51 deliveries with her side needing just two runs to win.
Experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Katey Martin clipped the winning runs with 2.4 overs remaining.
She finished on 29 not out from 28 deliveries.
Medium pacer Arlene Kelly was arguably the pick of the Auckland bowlers with one for 22 form four overs.
The teams will play back-to-back one-dayers this weekend.
