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Jetly, Kerr spin a web around Northern Districts as Wellington Blaze continue their unbeaten run

Women's CricZone Staff

16 Jan 2022

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Jetly, Kerr spin a web around Northern Districts as Wellington Blaze continue their unbeaten run — Amelia Kerr and Xara Jetly © Getty Images

Wellington Blaze continued their undefeated run in the Super Smash 2021-22 as they beat Northern Districts by eight wickets at the Cobham Oval in Whangarei on Sunday (January 16). Xara Jetly and Amelia Kerr were the top performers for Wellington taking seven wickets between themselves as they completed a dominating win to remain at the top of the points table.

Earlier in the day, Northern Districts won the toss and elected to bat first. Jess Kerr dismissed in-form Caitlin Gurrey in the third over to set the tone for Wellington. Junior Kerr was the next one in action as she got rid of skipper Brooke Halliday for 10. Moments later, Northern Districts were 31 for 2 in the eighth over, but things were about to get a lot worse for them.

Leigh Kasperek got her only wicket when she dismissed Nensi Patel for the third Northern Districts wicket. In the very next over, Amelia Kerr struck twice on consecutive deliveries to further Northern Districts down to 32 for 5. Runs dried up badly in the next few overs and the pressure resulted into a run out which meant the score was 44 for 6. The run out also meant the departure of Sam Curtis, who top-scored in the innings with her 36-ball 22.

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When Xara Jetly came to bowl the 14th over, she had only given a run and had not taken a wicket in her only over. But, all of that changed in a while. Holly Topp was the first victim as she was caught behind after 17-ball vigile of just one run. Jetly to get through that over without conceding a run. Her next over was even better as she ended up with a triple wicket maiden, wrapping up the tail and knocking Northern Districts out for just 46.

Chasing the target was never going to be a problem for Wellington but Emma Baker managed to delay the inevitable by just a few overs. Baker dismissed Georgia Plimmer for six runs and Thamsyn Newton for 12. Sophie Devine, who made her return to the Wellington team, stayed unbeaten in the run chase, scoring 20 runs from 14 balls. Skipper Maddy Green was also unbeaten at the other end with her six-ball 11 as Northern Districts cruised to victory in just 6.2 overs.

Brief scores:

Wellington Blaze 51/2 (Sophie Devine 20*; Emma Baker 2/17) beat Northern Districts 46 all-out (Sam Curtis 22; Xara Jetly 4/1, Amelia Kerr 3/9) by eight wickets.

New Zealand Xara Jetly Super Smash 2021-22 Amelie Kerr