Canterbury have qualified for the women's cricket Twenty20 Super Smash final next Sunday with an emphatic 64-run win over Central Districts in Christchurch.
Frankie Mackay Photo: Photosport
Sitting third going into the last round, Canterbury secured their spot in the final when Otago beat second-placed Auckland by nine wickets in a rain affected six-over match in Dunedin.
Canterbury skipper Frankie Mackay, who anchored her team's 168-5 with 97 from 61 balls, was happy to see Canterbury deliver when it mattered.
"We haven't played our best the last couple of games, we know that," she said.
"We've probably been all right with the bat, maybe a little bit under par from where we would like, but we've been disappointing with the ball.
"So it was really nice to come out and put a good performance on. The girls have worked so hard this week - they came out with really clear plans and just got it done."
A dominating performance in the field restricted the Hinds to 104-9 in their 20 overs, 20-year-old medium pacer Gabby Sullivan's 3-40 playing a key role.
Mackay says Canterbury will have to lift again when they face front-runners Wellington at Eden Park Outer Oval in Auckland. Last time the two teams met, Wellington won four four wickets with just two balls to spare.
"We've got a week to make sure our plans are spot on. We had a really good game with Wellington, and we're really looking forward to having another crack at it."