ROUND THREE
Auckland Hearts defeated the Canterbury Magicians by eight wickets at Melville Park, Auckland, on 2 December 2017
- Women's List A debut for umpire AC West
- 8th wicket record partnership for Canterbury Magicians v Auckland Hearts (33; Mace-Cochrane/Hughes)
- Career best List A bowling: Emma Fulbrook (previous best 3-56)
- 3rd wicket record partnership for Auckland Hearts v Canterbury Magicians (112*; Green/Bouchier. Previous record: 89 by Sam Curtis/Green at Rangiora, 2014/15)
- Career best List A score for Maia Bouchier (previous best: 33)
The Auckland Hearts continued their winning ways with a handsome eight-wicket win over defending champs the Canterbury Magicians as the weekend's action shifted to a sweltering Melville Park.
Visiting skipper Frankie Mackay elected to bat on the blazing Auckland day, but the Hearts got on top with the ball from the start.
Holly Huddleston was again on fire, in the wickets early before first change Emma Fulbrook swooped in for career-best figures of 4-24.
Fulbrook ensured no Magician made it past 30 in a solid display of discipline at the bowling crease.
Roz McNeill and captain Maddy Green chipped in with a wicket each as the Hearts bowled out the Magicians in the 48th over for 147.
That was never likely to be enough against the well drilled Hearts, but the day wasn’t without its challenges for the home side with WHITE FERNS stars Katie Perkins and Anna Peterson both having to leave the field, through injury and illness respectively.
However, a reshuffled batting line-up made light work of what could have been an awkward total.
Maddy Green continued her influential hand with the bat. MButcher/NZC
At 36 for two, Green was joined by newcomer Maia Bouchier and the pair simply didn’t look back.
Green was the rock, scoring an unbeaten 79 in an innings that included seven fours and one six while Bouchier played a strong supporting role with her undefeated 39 as they knocked off the chase within 36 overs.
The pair’s unbroken, 112-run third-wicket partnership was also a record for the Auckland Hearts against Canterbury.
The win is the fifth on the bounce for the Hearts and they will look to continue their early season momentum when they take on the Mags at the same venue tomorrow at 10am; entry to all Hallyburton Johnstone Shield cricket is free.
