Sparks hammer Hearts to secure finals berth

The Otago Sparks have sealed a spot in the Super Smash finals after a crushing 10-wicket win over the Auckland Hearts at Eden Park Outer Oval yesterday.

Katey Martin got the better of Katie Perkins in the battle of the milestonemakers, with each of the White Ferns’ internationals bringing up a 100-game T20 mark for their provinces, while Sparks batter Polly Inglis showed all her potential in an eye-catching unbeaten half-century.

While Martin did let Perkins (23 off 34) off with a missed stumping early on, it hardly proved crucial, as after winning the toss, the hosts just could not get going, and ended up posting just 106-6.

With just five runs on the board after 2.5 overs, the writing was on the wall, and while opener Lauren Down did manage to get things moving, her 49 off 40 (five fours) wasn’t enough to get the hosts through to something competitive.

Hayley Jensen struck with the last two balls of the 10th over, and ended with the

pick of the figures (3-21 off 4). Sparks captain Suzie Bates claimed three catches.

The visitors soon kicked into gear when Inglis (61no off 58) hit back-to-back fours off Arlene Kelly’s second over, and eased to 31-0 at the end of the powerplay.

In what proved two big moments, Inglis was dropped by Jesse Prasad at point, then last ball of the ninth over should have been run out after a bad call from Bates.