2024/25 HALLYBURTON JOHNSTONE SHIELD
Round 9
Saturday 22 February 2025
University of Otago Oval
OTAGO SPARKS defeated CENTRAL HINDS by 129 runs
- bonus point win -
OTAGO SPARKS : 5 points
CENTRAL HINDS : 0 points
SELECTED MILESTONES
Hannah Rowe : 100th List A match for Central Hinds
Felicity Robertson : Third List A century
Felicity Robertson and Polly Inglis : Otago Sparks third-wicket record (187)
Polly Inglis : Career best List A score (97)
Images: PHOTOSPORT
The Central Hinds headed to Dunedin just a fingertip away from qualifying for the Final, but a Felicity Robertson ton and record stand with Polly Inglis (97) saw the powerful Otago Sparks crack 40 points on the table to re-emphasise why they're already locked in as top qualifier this season.
The Hinds are still clinging onto second spot on the ladder, but the heavy loss - combined with a Hearts win in Christchurch - mean the Hearts can now sneak past them for that last available spot at the decider, unless the Hearts lose their last round.
Felicity Robertson (110 off 148 balls) was in vintage touch for the hosts in Dunedin after she won the toss and batted at Uni Oval.
A brisk, if bittersweet, 97 from Polly Inglis - the keeper-batter so close to her maiden century; created a new third-wicket one-day record for the Sparks of 187.
Thumped by 129 runs, the Hinds now need a payback win tomorrow - or for the Magicians to take a revenge win against the Hearts - in order to take the last spot in the Final.
The Sparks are already inked in, and today they became the first team since the Hearts in 2017/18 to reach 40 points on the national points table.
