2024/25 HALLYBURTON JOHNSTONE SHIELD
Round 6
Sunday 15 December 2024
Kennards Hire Community Oval, Auckland
AUCKLAND HEARTS lost to WELLINGTON BLAZE by 102 runs
- bonus point win -
Points in this round:
Wellington Blaze 5
Auckland Hearts 0
Otago Sparks 5
Northern Districts 0
Central Hinds 5
Canterbury Magicians 0
SELECTED MILESTONES
Anika Todd: Auckland Hearts and List A debut
Jess Kerr: 50th List A match for Wellington Blaze
Melie Kerr top-scored for a second day in a row for Wellington Blaze, backing up yesterday's ton with a half century that helped set up another big win for the Blaze against their traditional adversary.
The capital's captain Becky Burns elected to bat first on a sweltering day away in the middle of New Zealand's largest city, and contributed 30 herself to a second-wicket stand of 60 with Kerr.
Kerr was revving up for another influential knock. After Burns fell, she recombined with Sophie Devine, the pair putting on an effortless 59 for the next wicket as the Blaze strung together partnerships at the top.
But Kerr (64) would become a huge wicket for young swing bowler Bree Illing in the 33rd over at 133/3 - the moment completed by a superb, diving take down the leg-side from Izzy Gaze.
Rising swing star Bree Illing | PHOTOSPORT
Illing scurried on to 3/32 when she accounted for the other Kerr sister, too, the Hearts having fought their way back into it with the ball to have their hosts seven down, with just a few overs left at the death.
However, a total of 246/9 was not going to be an easy chase at Eden Park's smaller outer ground and at 62/4 in just the 16th over of their reply, that task had got ever so much harder for the Hearts.
Melie Kerr and Devine had a big impact with the ball, as well, through the afternoon.
Devine grabbed a wicket in her first over of the day, then ran out a sprawling Maddy Green for just 17. Huge wicket. Huge moment in the game.
Melie Kerr, meanwhile, had accounted for another vastly experienced Hearts batter in opener Lauren Down, who was caught on 29.
At 96/6 at the halfway mark, the Hearts had lost their way - then Jess Kerr (2/21 in her 50th cap match) and spinner Xara Jetly (3/35) swept in and wrapped up the victory inside 34 overs, the Hearts dismissed for 144.
Melie Kerr could look back on a job well done, gliding back in for the Blaze to take a century and a half century back home with her, and helping push her side back up the table - leapfrogging the Hearts by a slim net run rate margin into the top three.
Teams now switch to Dream11 Super Smash mode for the holiday season, after which the last four rounds will decide this summer's one-day finalists.
