Arlene Kelly, Kate Anderson shine on opening day of the second leg of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield

Arlene Kelly hit an unbeaten 93 off 108 balls as Auckland Hearts comfortably saw off Central Hinds by eight wickets in the ongoing Hallyburton Johnstone Shield at the Collin Maiden Park in Auckland on Saturday (February 1).

Chasing, 218 for victory, Auckland Hearts were off to a steady start reaching 37 without loss after 10 overs. Opener Saachi Shahri (47) was at her attacking best hitting eight boundaries, her opening partner GR Adams (15) played second fiddle.

Hinds came back strongly into the match with two quick wickets, but Kelly along with Regina Lili’i (47) stitched together a 151-run stand for the third wicket and ensured no further hiccups as Hearts romped home with 4.4 overs to spare.

Earlier, openers Jess Watkin’s 73-ball 60 helped Central Hinds to 217 for 8 in 50 overs. For Hearts, FC Jonas (3/35) and J Barnett (2/25) bowled well.

Elsewhere, at Cobham Oval in Whangarei, Kate Anderson's spell of 5 for 30 helped Northern Spirit thrash Wellington Blaze by a whopping 121 runs.

Chasing 266, Anderson didn’t let any Wellington Blaze batters settle in as wickets kept on falling at regular intervals to bowl them out for 144. Deanna Doughty top scored for Wellington Blaze with 26 runs. Aside from Anderson, MB Templeton (2-26) also picked up two wickets.

Earlier, half-centuries from Katie Gurrey (52), Felicity Leydon-Davis (67) and Eimear Richardson (97*) helped Northern Spirit post 265 for 3 in 50 overs.

Meanwhile, in Rangiora, Canterbury Magicians’ Sarah Asmussen (4-23) and Gabby Sullivan (3-30) accounted for seven wickets in total to skittle out Otago Sparks to 118 in 45.2 overs. Caitlin Blakely with a 132-ball 61 was the lone fighter for Otago Sparks as wickets fell like a pack of cards at the other end.

In reply, Canterbury Magicians took 27.1 overs to overhaul the target
losing just two wickets in the process, riding on knocks from Jacinta Lynn
Savage (52*) and Allie Mace-Cochrane (38).

Brief scores:

Central Hinds 217/8 in 50 overs (Jess Watkin 60, Natalie Dodd 35; FC Jonas 3-35, J Barnett 2-25) lost to Auckland Hearts 218/2 in 45.2 overs (Arlene Kelly 93*) by eight wickets.

Otago Sparks 118 all out in 45.2 overs (Caitlin Blakely 61; Sarah Asmussen 4-23, Gabby Sullivan 3-30) lost to Canterbury Magicians 119/2 in 27.1 overs (Jacinta Lynn Savage 52*, Allie Mace-Cochrane 38) by eight wickets.

Northern Spirit 265/3 in 50 overs (Caitlin Gurrey 52, Felicity Leydon-Davis 67, Eimear Richardson 97*) beat Wellington Blaze 144 in 45.1 overs (Deanna Doughty 26; Kate Anderson 5-30, MB Templeton 2-26) by 121 runs.