The Wellington Blaze kicked off their 2023-24 Women’s Super Smash campaign with a comfortable 23-run win over the Otago Sparks in the second match of the tournament at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Thursday 21 December.
The win moved Amelia Kerr’s side to the top of the points table, ahead of the Canterbury Magicians on the back of a better net run rate (NRR). Wellington’s NRR of 1.150 is slightly better than Canterbury’s 0.550. On the other hand, Auckland Hearts and Otago Sparks are in the bottom two places of the six-team tournament.
The Central Stags and Northern Knights did not play a single match in the 17th season of the Women’s Super Smash. The two teams are scheduled to meet in the third match on Friday, December 22, at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Let’s take a quick look at the updated points table below after the match between Wellington Blaze and Otago Sparks.
Georgia Plimmer and Leah Kaspric help Wellington Blaze beat Otago Sparks
Wellington Blaze middle-order player Georgia Plimmer played with a smart mindset to stay alive until the end, which contrasted with the approach of her teammates. Thanks to Bobby Jay Watkins’ knack for taking wickets at regular intervals, it created a moment of turmoil in the Wellington camp.
But Plimmer was unwavering despite running out of partners. She remained calm at the crease and made sure to bat deeper into the innings. The 19-year-old hit three boundaries during her unbeaten 41-run knock to help Wellington post a moderate total of 140 for 8.
The spinners dictated the terms in the second innings, with spinner Leigh Kasperek breathing fire. She dismissed Olivia Jayne, Caitlin Blakely and Watkins to register figures of 3 for 25 from four overs. Although Amelia Kerr failed to deliver the ball with the bat, the Wellington captain made up for it by dismissing Bella James and Polly Inglis.
Jess Kerr provided the early breakthrough by dismissing Otago captain Susie Bates, who was batting fearlessly at 25. This was perhaps the turning point in the match as Wellington finished the winning side.