The undefeated Canterbury Magicians have a perfect copybook after six rounds of the Women’s One-Day competition — the latest in their triumphs a thoroughly commanding nine-wicket victory against Northern Spirit as three dramatic days of women's cricket wrapped up in Lincoln.
Spirit had once again set off to bat first but were still recovering from the early loss of both openers when hard-hitting number four Bernadine Bezuidenhout was run out.
Bernadine Bezuidenhout could only get a start. PHOTOSPORT
At 77 for three, it had been a scramble of a start after just over 20 overs and it would be only first drop Sam Curtis who could lock down to prop up the ultimate tally.
WHITE FERN Curtis posted a half century off 78 balls as she built a much needed 59-run stand for the fifth wicket with Kerry Tomlinson (29) but, when they were both caught in quick succession, the Magicians closed in to restrict the Northerners to 171 for eight in the rain-reduced 39-over match.
Frances McKay had picked up 3-29 off her seven overs and it was a good day with the ball, too, for Erin Bermingham with a testing 2-27 off eight; medium pace right-armer Gabby Sullivan meanwhile had played a phenomenal role in building the pressure as she went for just 1-10 off her four overs.
McKay continued her good day out with the bat, skimming off an unbeaten 64 to ensure the Magicians stayed on top. The only wicket was Amy Satterthwaite’s, but not before one of the most impressive international cricket run-scorers of 2016 had racked up one last half century for the year, caught on 58 in the 23rd over after an opening stand of 117.
Her half century had arrived off just 56 balls, then McKay followed suit with a 78-ball milestone as she calmy ticked off the chase alongside Kate Ebrahim (née Broadmore) to chalk the win with almost nine overs to spare.
Well in charge on the One-Day front, the Magicians will be back in action on 2 January 2017 in the Twenty20 Competition, against the Central Hinds at Hagley Oval, the match beginning at 10.30am in a doubleheader with the McDonald’s Super Smash clash between the Kings and Knights.
