Cricket: Auckland Hearts announce unchanged line-up for finals

The Auckland Hearts have announced the same team which beat the Northern Spirit in a dramatic victory earlier in the week to face the Canterbury Magicians in the Action Cricket twenty20 and Action Cricket Cup finals this weekend.

The one-day final will be played at Rangiora on Saturday and the twenty20 final is part of a double bill with the Wizards HRV Cup game against the Firebirds on Sunday.

The Hearts' spot in both finals is a far cry from their fifth-place finishing positions of last season.

West Indian import Stafanie Taylor, who hit an unbeaten 86 against the Spirit, was a big factor in the improvement, said co-coach Maia Lewis.

"She's really produced with both bat and ball and that innings against ND was something special. I think also that the introduction of Katrina Keenan as co-coach has brought renewed enthusiasm and she's done great work with the pace bowlers, as well as helping the whole team with the mental side of the game and their self-belief.''

The Hearts have a real sprinkling of youth this season and Lewis credits them in contributing to the Hearts success so far.

"The younger players, especially Lauren Down and Georgia Guy, have come in and made big contributions and also made some real competition for places which I think has lifted the team performance.''

Canterbury have been the form team this season and go into both finals without having lost a game.


Auckland Hearts team: Victoria Lind (Capt), Katie Perkins (VC), Saskia Bullen, Megan Tremaine, Paula Gruber, Lauren Down, Holly Huddleston, Maddie Green, Georgia Guy, Samantha Curtis, Arlene Kelly, Stafanie Taylor.


 

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