Cricket: Auckland's Green shines as Sparks lose double

Suzie Bates.
Suzie Bates.
The Otago Sparks lost both their opening one-day games, with Auckland proving too classy.

The defending champion smashed Otago by 130 runs at Eden Park Outer Oval yesterday and recorded a 37-run win on Saturday with some help from the Duckworth-Lewis method.

The Hearts posted a formidable total of 239 for seven with Madeline Green scoring her maiden century.

Green was undefeated on 105 from 117 deliveries in an innings that featured 10 boundaries.

She had some solid support from Katie Perkins (23) and Holly Huddleston (30), and Sara McGlashan made 34 at No3.

Sparks captain Suzie Bates was the best of the Otago bowlers with two for 44 from 10 overs.

Otago's reply ran into immediate trouble with Bates bowled for six.

With Bates back in the dressing room it was going to take a brilliant innings from the likes of Katey Martin or Leigh Kasperek, but it never eventuated.

Kasperek was bowled for 24 and, while Martin stuck around for a while, she was eventually removed relatively cheaply for 19.

Victoria Abbot offered some resistance, posting 17. But Otago was dismissed for 109 in the 34th over.

On Saturday, the Hearts posted 226 for nine, with Perkins doing the bulk of the scoring.

Her 79 from 79 deliveries ensured Auckland posted a total of 200-plus.

Opener Victoria Lind was solid at the top with 39. McGlashan chipped in with 28 and No9 batsman Lucille Matthews added a valuable 23 not out.

The wickets were shared around, with four Otago bowlers picking up two wickets apiece.

Otago was 99 for four after 21 overs when rained forced a 90min delay.

The Duckworth-Lewis calculation left the Sparks chasing a reduced target of 210 from 40 overs.

Kasperek kept them in the hunt with 51 from 74 but kept losing partners, and was last out with Otago on 172.

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