Wellington Blaze 329/5 (McFadyen 153*, Burns 72, Newton 46, Carson 2-51) beat Otago Sparks 198 (Blakely 75*, James 60, Jetly 3-35) by 131 runs
The Wellington Blaze bowed out of the 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 unbeaten on 153* off just 130 balls to set up Blaze's weighty total of 329 for five (50 overs).
It was McFadyen's maiden List A century and the highest score by any Blaze opening batsman. It also took her side to their second highest ever one-day total, just 10 runs short of the record 339 for nine set at Karori Park in 2015/16 against Northern Spirit.
Earlier Rebecca Burns showed her talent with a well-made 72 and Thamsyn Newton made herself a good allie for McFadyen at the death reaching 46 from 48 balls.
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 Sparks would end their one-day season winless after nine losses and a washout.
Natasha Codyre (3-50) and Xara Jetly (3-35) were the pick of the Blaze bowlers helping their side get home by 131-runs to bring the domestic women's summer to a successful end.
Otago Sparks 82/7 (Carson 20, Lamplough 20*, Singh 3-14) lost to Wellington Blaze 90/1 (McFadyen 35*, Burns 28, Black 1-12) by 9 wickets (DLS method)
In the midst of a nationwide drought, wet weather hit Dunedin's for the fiorst game of the weekend where an early lunch was taken.
Finally the skies cleared and Sparks captain Bella James won the toss and elected to bat in a game reduced to 38 overs per side, initially.
The hosts reached 11 for no loss before rain further interrupted in the fourth over.
Further wet weather saw the match shortened to 27 overs, then 22, requiring the sides to hold their concentration through numerous interruptions.
The Sparks would ultimately post 82 for seven in 22 overs with Blaze's Maneka Singh claiming 3-14 and Priyanaz Chatterji 2-8.
It was a chase that proved no match for a fired-up Blaze top order, hungry to end their one-day summer strong.
Rebecca Burns (caught and bowled by Emma Black on 28) was the only wicket as Jess McFadyen (unbeaten on 35*) and Georgia Plimmer brought it home with almost 10 overs to spare.
Article added: Monday 24 February 2020
