First-time finalist State Central Hinds travel to Christchurch’s Village Green at QEII on Saturday to take on reigning champion State Canterbury Magicians in this season’s State League final.
Canterbury topped the table at the end of round-robin play to host the final, having lost only one match in round robin play.
Central Districts reached the final after an exciting last round of matches, after back to back wins over State Wellington Blaze, while challengers Auckland lost to Northern Districts.
The Magicians, coached by Kirsty Flavell, have been in sizzling form all summer.
Former England international Mandie Godliman topped the run-scoring charts with 532. Captain Haidee Tiffen scored 414 and Maria Fahey 355.
Spinners Rebecca Steele and Selena Charteris have been Canterbury’s leading wicket takers.
However, Steele has withdrawn from consideration for the White Ferns squad, named on January 31, to face India later this season.
State Central Hinds, coached by former Wellington pace bowler Lincoln Doull, lost four matches on their way to the final – twice to Canterbury and twice to Auckland.
White Ferns Aimee Mason and Sara McGlashan have scored 277 and 309 runs respectively. Mason, the Hinds’ captain, also forms a useful bowling attack with medium-pacer Zara McWilliams.
The final starts at 10.30 am on January 28. Kathy Cross and Jeremy Busby will stand as umpires.
State Canterbury Magicians (from): Haidee Tiffen (captain), Sarah Burke, Selena Charteris, Maria Fahey, Mandie Godliman, Beth McNeill, Rowan Milburn, Kim Minogue, Michelle Mitchell, Hannah Rae, Amy Satterthwaite, Rebecca Steele, Tabatha Waterreus
Coach: Kirsty Flavell
State Central Hinds (from): Aimee Mason (captain), Abby Burrows, Rachel Candy, Kendra Cocksedge, Sarah Duffill, Sara McGlashan, Zara McWilliams, Rachel Priest, Andrea Stockwell, Nicole Thessman, Donna Trow, Kelly Tunnicliffe, Kelly Winkley
Coach: Lincoln Doull
:: Live scores from the State League final will be online exclusively at nzcricket.co.nz from 10:30am, January 28.
