A futile hat-trick and three run-chases feature on Day 3 of Super Smash

It was a ten-wicket win for Spirit over Central Hinds at Lincoln Green, thanks to a magnificent ton by Katie Gurrey. She finished unbeaten on 106 off 57 balls with 17 fours and a six in a chase of 173. Bernadine Bezuidenhout also finished with an undefeated 59 off 49 balls at the other end.
This onslaught came after Jess Watkin’s 95 guided Hinds to six for 172. The skipper looked in imperious mood, clobbering 14 fours and four sixes and departing in a bid to hit the fifth one. Charlotte Sarsfield’s off-spin yielded three wickets for just 19 runs.
In the second clash of the day, Otago Sparks were handed a defeat by Hearts at Sutcliffe Oval. Suzie Bates, after her ton on Saturday, hit 47 and didn’t get much support from the other end apart from Katie Martin (30). That meant Sparks didn’t fly much and ended up with just 126 runs on the board, with Anna Peterson picking up two wickets.
Decent contributions from the top order in response was enough for Hearts, who notched up their second win in the tournament. Saachi Shahri, who was in good form in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, continued her impressive run, finishing unbeaten on 40 off just 27 balls. Although Emma Black picked up two wickets, the total that Sparks put on the board wasn’t enough to challenge Hearts.

. . W W W . 1

What an over from Gabby Sullivan picking up a Hat-Trick!
Down to the wire now, Blaze needing 25 off 18. pic.twitter.com/bwMcidaumm
— Canterbury Cricket (@CanterburyCrick) December 15, 2019

In the match at Hagley Oval, Blaze cruised to a four-wicket win over Canterbury Magicians. Amelia Kerr was at the fore of it, finishing unconquered on 47 in just 32 balls, while Rachel Priest hit 39 off 32 balls. However, before the final rites were done, Gabby Sullivan’s hat-trick threatened to derail the run-chase. She picked up Maddy Green, Leigh Kasperek and Thamsyn Newton off successive balls to jolt the middle order.
Earlier, Deanna Doughty’s three for 26 helped Blaze restrict Magicians to six for 137. Devine also picked up a couple but went for plenty. Jacinta Savage’s unbeaten 24-ball 40 helped the Magicians to a decent total after they were left tottering at five for 84.
Brief Scores:
Central Hinds 172/6 in 20 overs (Jess Watkin 95; Charlotte Sarsfield 3-19) lost to Northern Spirit 173/0 in 17.4 overs (Katie Gurrey 106*, Bernadine Bezuidenhout 59*) by ten wickets.
Otago Sparks 126/6 in 20 overs (Suzie Bates 47, Katie Martin 30; Anna Peterson 2-25) lost to Auckland Hearts 128/3 in 16.4 overs (Saachi Shahri 40*; Emma Black 2-13) by seven wickets.
Canterbury Magicians 137/6 in 20 overs (Jacinta Savage 40*, Kirsty Nation 36; Deanna Doughty 3-26, Sophie Devine 2-43) lost to Wellington Blaze 139/6 in 19.2 overs (Amelia Kerr 47*, Rachel Priest 39; Gabby Sullivan 3-27) by four wickets.