Cricket: Martin misses ton; Otago's day in sun

It is not a word you can print in the newspaper, but that is what crossed Katey Martin's mind when she holed out eight runs short of her maiden one-day 100.

The Otago Sparks skipper had regained her perspective by the time the Otago Daily Times caught up with the wicketkeeper-batsman.

Her excellent innings, after all, helped power her side to a four-wicket win over Wellington in a one-day match at Molyneux Park, in Alexandra, yesterday.

Otago restricted Wellington to 234 for seven.

Suzie Bates returned from playing basketball in Brisbane to take three wickets for 39 and chip in 36 with the bat.

But the day belonged to Martin.

She has been in excellent form this season, scoring three half centuries in four innings.

While the 24-year-old had scored 219 runs at an average of 54.75, and is the competition's leading run scorer, a century was still on the to-do-list.

The opener got herself in a superb position to achieve the milestone, but on 92, with more than 14 overs left, she came down the wicket and fetched a delivery to mid-wicket.

"Obviously, it was disappointing to get out when I did," Martin said.

"We were in such a good position and I just wanted to be there at the end and finish the job off.

"I wasn't really thinking about the 100 because, at that stage, a bonus point was still on.

"But, yeah, you probably can't print the word I was thinking in the paper."

When Martin was dismissed, Otago was 208 for three and on track to get a bonus point win.

But the home side got the staggers with three quick wickets falling.

Martin said the dressing room got a little jittery watching the final moments.

"We've got into the same positions in the past and it has gone wrong but the girls really stepped up and the middle order got us through."

Martin only moved up to the top of the order towards the end of last season after she was picked for the New Zealand team as an opener.

The move has proved inspired and Martin puts her success down to a relaxed attitude.

"I'm feeling pretty relaxed about my game and I'm just concentrating on batting time. I know if I bat long enough the runs will come."

The win lifted Otago into a share of the lead with Wellington.

The sides play another one-dayer today and will finish the series of matches with a twenty/20 match on New Year's Eve.

Other results: Auckland 229 for five (Victoria Lind 80 not out, Holly Huddlestone 44no) beat Central Districts 195 (Sarah McGlashan 73, Aimee Watkins 68; Natalee Scripps four for 35) by 34 runs in Masterton.

Northern Districts 119 for six (Nicola Browne 47, Erin Bermingham four for 14) lost to Canterbury 119 for four (Amy Satterthwaite 50no, Michelle Mitchell 24) on a boundary countback after the scores were tied at the end of 20 overs and the elimination in Whangarei.