In the tightest win of the round, Wellington Blaze just snuck in for a vital win at Karori Park as round five of the Women’s Twenty20 kept the heat on at the top of the table.
In a match reduced to 13 overs due to showers hovering around the capital, Blaze faced a tricky task batting first after being sent in by Canterbury Magicians captain Frances Mackay, but opener Amelia Kerr played a steady hand with her 36 flying off just 39 balls in the conditions.
Wickets didn’t fall quickly enough for the Mags, a good second wicket partnership between Kerr and Suzie McDonald stopped with their wickets falling in quick succession — but with the match entering the death zone already, and a platform built for Eimear Richardson and Liz Perry to add some quick finishing touches to get them up to 82 for four.
The Mags looked to be well in control of the chase, heading into the final over at 75 for four. However, after picking up three runs from the first two balls, calamity ensued for the visitors as Blaze picked up three wickets – two of them runouts – in the space of three balls to snatch a clutch two-run victory.
