Central Hinds batter Ashtuti Kumar is run out against the Auckland Hearts. Photo: photosport
Captain Maddy Green proved a thorn in the side of Central Districts - twice - as Auckland Hearts extended their lead in the domestic women's cricket one-day championship.
The Aucklanders notched successive home wins over the visiting Hinds, winning both games by four wickets thanks in a large way to Green's composure with the bat.
The 31-year-old White Fern veteran scored 91 not out as Auckland successful chased 237 on Saturday and she was unbeaten again in Sunday's encounter reaching 77 off 84 balls as they reached 201-6 after Central were dismissed for 197.
"Three bowling innings and we've bowled teams out in every innings so that's been really pleasing, I think," she said.
"And just to get the job done with the bat from some tricky situations - we've seen some real grit and fight from some of our middle to lower order, which has been really cool.
"Yesterday I felt like I was hitting the ball better than I was today. My job is to be out there until towards the end and thankfully in the last two games I've been able to do that."
Fellow-White Fern Fran Jonas was the pick of Auckland's bowlers on Sunday, taking 4-32.
Northern beat Wellington
Bottom-placed Northern Districts bounced back from defeat on Saturday to beat Wellington by 57 runs in their second match in Hamilton.
Allrounder Jess Watkin took 3-39 as defending champions Wellington were skittled for 188 in pursuit of 245-5.
A key wicket was the early runout of Georgia Plimmer for two, having made a brilliant 147 in Saturday's clash.
Canterbury beat Otago
Otago's 180 wasn't enough on Sunday against Canterbury, who reached their target with four wickets and eight overs to spare.
Opener Frankie Mackay top-scored with 50 for the winners while Nicola Clayton earlier took 3-30 for Canterbury.
Otago won Saturday's fixture by 88 runs and sit second in the standings through four rounds.