Sophie Devine of the Wellington Blaze takes a catch off her bowling to dismiss Armitage during the Dream11 Super Smash T20 Womens Cricket Final. Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand. Sunday 28 January 2024. Photo credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The Wellington Blaze have won another women's Super Smash T20 title after only making 89 runs in a rain reduced final at Eden Park in Auckland.
The Blaze won the final against the Central Hinds by 1 run, their eighth title and showed once again that they know how to win.
The Central Hinds had a golden opportunity to beat the favourites after a fine bowling effort but a too cautious approach in their run chase probably cost them the game.
Early rain meant the final was reduced to 17 overs each.
The Wellington Blaze won the toss and decided to bat first.
But the Central Hinds had a dream start when they took the prized wicket of White Fern Sophie Devine, dismissing her for 5 runs.
Captain Amelia Kerr tried to do what she could to build a decent total and finished with the highest score of 35 but wickets fell at regular intervals around her.
Rosemary Mair was the standout bowler for the Hinds, picking up four wickets while conceding just 5 runs off her four overs.
Rosemary Mair of the Central Hinds celebrates the dismissal of Plimmer during the Dream11 Super Smash T20 Womens Cricket Final. Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand. Sunday 28 January 2024. Photo credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The Blaze were dismissed for 89 on the final ball of their innings.
The Central Hinds looked like they were building a nice launching pad but they didn't accelerate when they needed to, with the Blaze bowlers being very miserly.
It meant the Central Hinds needed 10 runs from final over, with 7 wickets in hand.
Devine bowled an eventful final over, which included two wides, a failed run-out attempt, and a missed catch, before Devine made sure of a second run-out chance.
The Hinds finished 88 for 5 when Claudia Green was run-out on the final ball of the match.
Thamsyn Newton top scored with 27 for the Hinds.
Washout sees Auckland Aces win Super Smash title
The Auckland Aces were later crowned men's T20 champions after today's final against the Canterbury Kings was rained off.
With less than 15 overs bowled in the decider at Eden Park, Auckland's position as top qualifier saw them handed the trophy.
The washout gave Auckland the Super Smash title for the fifth time, while Canterbury have now finished runner up in the last four successive finals.
Before the rain, the Kings appeared on course for a big total, as opener Tom Latham made an unbeaten 58 from just 33 balls.
Henry Nicholls added 42 from 35, as the pair put on 90 runs for the second wicket.
But the rain had the final say with the score at 133/2.