Natalie Dodd’s half-century leads Central Hinds to their first victory of Super Smash

Central Hinds registered their first win in the Super Smash 2021-22 after beating Auckland Hearts at Fitzherbert Park on Monday (December 27). Natalie Dodd’s patient half-century and Claudia Green’s economical spell helped Hinds clinch the win as Hearts lost the second match in a row.



Chasing 128 for a victory, Hearts were rocked with the first ball of the innings when Anna Peterson’s attempted sweep was caught at midwicket by Ocean Bartlett. The other opener Lauren Down and Bella Armstrong saw Hearts through the power play without further damage and added 31 runs. Down struggled throughout her innings and she was caught at point giving Green her first wicket immediately after the end of the powerplay.



Also Read: Home World Cup is going to be a wholesome opportunity, says Sophie Devine



Holly Huddleston and Katie Perkins tried to revive the innings with a partnership of 48 runs for the fourth wicket, but it was not enough. Watkin broke the partnership by removing Perkins for 33. Hearts lost three wickets for just eight runs and fell shy of the target by 14 runs. Green was supported by Watkin, who took two wickets as well.



Earlier, Hinds opted to bat first, and after a slow start, lost Watkin inside the powerplay for just five runs. Georgia Atkinson and Dodd went out for counter-attack as they hit Huddlestone for 13 runs in the very next over. The partnership of 77 runs for the second wicket built a solid foundation before Atkinson was caught at deep midwicket for 32. Dodd brought up her 50 by hitting two back-to-back boundaries off Jesse Prasad.



Dodd was caught in the penultimate over trying to make most of the death overs. Rosemary Meir hit two fours in her little cameo to propel Hinds to 127 for the loss of five wickets in the first innings. Arlene Kelly was the most economical bowler for Hearts as she gave away only 18 runs from her four hours and bagged an important wicket of Watkin.



Brief Scores: Central Hinds 127/5 in 20 overs (Natalie Dodd 57, Georgia Atkinson 32; Arlene Kelly 1/18) beat Auckland Hearts 113/6 in 20 overs (Katie Perkins 33, Holly Huddleston 22; Claudia Green 2/13) by 14 runs