Olivia Gain of the Otago Sparks an action against the Canterbury Magicians. Photo: photosport
Otago Sparks have upset defending champions Canterbury Magicians by three wickets off the final ball of a tense women's Super Smach T20 match in Christchurch.
Tailender Eden Carson lofted the game's final ball from Frankie Mackay over the infield to secure victory as Otago made hard work of their chase after Canterbury posted a modest 109-6.
Openers Suzie Bates (23) and Bella James (26) put on 53 in a slick opening stand but none of the other Otago batters could establish themselves, setting up a tight finish.
Otago's best with the ball was left-armer PJ Watkins, who took 2-8 off two overs, including the scalps of opener Mackay (20) and Pakistan international Fatima Sana (14).
It followed Watkins' Super Smash debut last week in which she took 4-28 against Wellington, becoming the tournament's first player to claim four wickets on debut.
Otago went on to lose their opener against Wellington while Canterbury beat Auckland first up, leaving both South Island teams with 1-1 records following Tuesday's result.