Amelia Kerr shines as Wellington Blaze trump Auckland Hearts in Super Smash opener

A comprehensive all-round performance from Amelia Kerr, who took three wickets and smashed a 34-ball 58, helped Wellington Blaze begin their Super Smash 2020-21 season with a nine-wicket win against Auckland Hearts on Thursday (December 24).



After opting to bowl, Maneka Singh got the Blaze off to a dream start by dismissing Anna Peterson in the very second delivery of the match. Jessica Kerr backed it up with the wicket of the other opener and the opposition skipper Lauren Down for eight from 12 balls.



With Singh getting rid of Bella Armstrong in the sixth over, the Hearts were struggling at 27 for three. Soon, they lost Katie Perkins courtesy to a run-out for a 17-ball 15.



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Joined by Holly Huddleston, Saachi Shahri tried to build a partnership for the fifth wicket. Together they scored 15 runs in as many balls before Amelia removed Huddleston.



Walking in at 43 for five, Regina Lili'i added a run-a-ball 26 with Shahri, who was the aggressor in the partnership. She hit boundaries off Maddy Green, who broke the partnership by dismissing Lili'i for 11 from 15 balls.



A double strike from Amelia left the Hearts reeling at 81 for eight after 16 overs. Shahri top-scored with a 27-ball 29 as the Hearts scraped their way to 92 for nine. Amelia was the pick of the bowlers picking up three wickets for just 11 runs in her four overs.



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Chasing less than five runs per over, the Blaze lost their opener, Rebecca Blaze, early. However, Green and Amelia, who walked in at number three ensured that they did not lose any further wickets.



Amelia, in particular, took the attack to the Hearts as she smashed back-to-back boundaries off Peterson. She followed it up with three consecutive fours in the over of FC Jonas and Arlene Kelly.



Amelia brought up her half-century in 30 deliveries and remained not out till the end. Green, who played second-fiddle to Amelia, made 30 from 21 deliveries, as the Blaze chased the target in 10.4 overs.



Brief Scores: Auckland Hearts: 92/9 ( Saachi Shahri 29, Amelia Kerr 3/11) lost to Wellington Blaze: 94/1 (Amelia Kerr 58, Anna Peterson 1/17) by nine wickets.