Wellington Blaze allrounder Melie Kerr backed up yesterday's 5-40 in the opening round with another bag of 5-36 on Sunday to keep defending champions the Canterbury Magicians pointless and under early pressure in the national Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.
Magicians star Amy Satterthwaite meanwhile narrowly missed out on her eighth century in another milestone match for Canterbury, bowled by fellow WHITE FERNS spinner Leigh Kasperek on 96.
Satterthwaite again top-scored for the side and her experience was sorely needed after the early loss of captain Frankie Mackay - making her first appearance this season, followed by a middle-order collapse triggered when Kerr struck twice in the 17th over.
It was a disaster for the Magicians after having won the toss this time and batted, looking to bounce back against the strong Blaze. Kerr came back to crucially break the only substantial stand of the innings, a 68-run partnership between Kirsty Nation and Satterthwaite for the sixth wicket.
Satterthwaite carried on with ever decreasing support, and was the last to fall with Canterbury all out for 207 - in just 43.1 overs.
At the midpoint of the reply, Wellington Blaze was already nicely on target, requiring a further 104 runs at just over four runs per over with eight wickets in hand.
Kerr was caught of Sarah Asmussen the very next ball, however, after a fluent 41, offering the Magicians a chance to fight their way back.
But the Blaze's middle order chipped away, stringing together partnerships to keep on track. Thamysn Newton and Kasperek's 53-stand for the sixth was the highest of the innings but the key was all keeping the score moving, and even when Satterthwaite put herself on a hat-trick in the 46th over with Natasha Codyre and Caitlin King, both for no score, it wasn't enough with just seven runs needed for victory, two wickets in hand and ultimately an over to spare.
Satterthwaite took two catches to accompany her 3-38 but there would be little celebration for the hosts as Blaze took eight points to zip for their weekend's mahi, sitting just two points below early leaders the Otago Sparks after the first two rounds involving the four teams in action so far.
Article added: Wednesday 10 November 2021
