Natalie Cox, Lea Tahuhu lead Canterbury Magicians to their first win of Super Smash

Super Smash 2021-22. Claudia Green’s brilliant opening spell went in vain as Central Hinds couldn’t defend the total at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Friday (December 10).

Chasing 138 for their first win of the series, Magicians were in trouble early when Green dismissed Abigale Gerken (0) and Amy Satterthwaite (9) with hooping inswingers. Captain Frances Mackay and Cox were not able to find any gaps, courtesy of some outstanding work from the fielding side. Green bowled her four overs on the trot as her figures read 4-0-9-2.

Mackay found a boundary against Melissa Hansen, only to be caught by Ocean Bartlett off Hinds captain Jess Watkins for 14 after two overs. Cox changed the gears after her captain’s fall and hit two back-to-back boundaries against Hansen. By the time Tahuhu joined Cox Magicians needed 56 runs off the last five overs.

Cox brought her maiden half-century in the 18th over off 47 balls and continued the stroke play against Hannah Rowe in the penultimate over. Tahuhu took charge of the tight chase with two back-to-back sixes in the 19th over. Rowe was left seething when her attempt of running Tahuhu out led to four overthrows. Cox and Tahuhu added 26 runs from that Rowe over. Magicians only needed five runs off the last over and they achieved it with six wickets still left in the hut.

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Earlier, Watkins won the toss and Hinds opted to bat first. After a sedate start, Natalie Dodd found her groove as she clobbered 11 runs off Jessica Simmons’ second over. Melissa Banks broke the opening partnership with the wicket of Watkins for seven. Dodd found a partner in Mikaela Greig, with whom she added 64 runs for the third wicket. Dodd brought up her half-century from just 36 balls and it looked like Hinds were gearing for big runs in the death overs.

Hinds lost the plot once Greig was sent back to the pavilion by Banks for well-made 36. Dodd (52) was next in the line as she was stumped the very next ball. Mackay brought herself to bowl as she removed Kerry-Anne Tomlinson (2) and Rosemary Mair (0) before they could hit out in the final overs. Emily Cunnigham scored nine off seven balls to take Hinds past the 130 mark. Apart from Mackay, Banks and Sarah Asmussen also took two wickets each for Magicians.

Brief Scores: Central Hinds 137/7 in 20 overs (Natalie Dodd 52, Mikaela Greig 36; Sarah Asmussen 2/19) lost to Canterbury Magicians 141/4 in 19.5 overs (Natalie Cox 63*, Lea Tahuhu 39*; Claudia Green 2/9) by six wickets