ROUND 10
OTAGO SPARKS lost to WELLINGTON BLAZE by 131 runs
University of Otago Oval | 23 February 2020
Wellington Blaze bowed out of the 2019/20 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield in style with a 131-win over the Otago Sparks that included a ground-breaking century to Jess McFadyen - the opening bat in sublime touch with an unbeaten 153* off just 130 balls to set up Blaze's weighty total of 329 for five.
It was McFadyen's maiden List A century - previous best 63; and, the highest score by any Blaze opening batsman - propelling her side to their second highest ever one-day total. The whopping score was just 10 runs short of the capital team's record 339 for nine set at Karori Park in 2015/16 against Northern Spirit.
Blaze have been rebuilding their side and headed into the business end of the season minus a raft of WHITE FERNS on international duty.
Captain Dee Doughty had won the toss, hungry for the team to finish the one-day summer on a strong note and electing to set the struggling Sparks a chase.
Despite a brave partnership between Sparks captain Bella James (60) and Caitlin Blakely (an unbeaten career best 75) that reached 135 for the second wicket, the chase was a tough ask for the young Sparks who would end their one-day season winless after nine losses and a washout.
• While Wellington Blaze exit the 2019/20 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield after this last round, it will not be the end of the season for the side who will meet the Central Hinds in a one-off, free admission 40 Not Out T20 at Palmerston North's Fitzherbert Park on 28 March 2020 to mark the Hinds' 40th anniversary season.
