Tight bowling key to Sparks’ success

Northern Spirit opener Katie Gurry looks to score while Otago Sparks fielder Bella James awaits...
Northern Spirit opener Katie Gurry looks to score while Otago Sparks fielder Bella James awaits proceedings at Molyneux Park yesterday.PHOTO: SIMON HENDERSON
The Otago Sparks did not finish well with the bat but did the business with the ball as they defeated the Northern Spirit by 10 runs at Molyneux Park yesterday.

The home side managed 146 for nine wickets when it batted first but lost three wickets in the final over as its attempts to get up past 150 failed.

The Northern Spirit looked well placed and needed 40 runs off the final five overs. But some tight bowling from Amanda-Jade Wellington and Hayley Jensen stifled the visiting side’s push for quick runs.

The key wicket of Irish batsman Eimear Richardson in the 19th over left the Northern side needing 14 off the last over to win.

It failed to get anywhere near the target as Jensen took two wickets in the final over and conceded just the three runs.

It was a much-needed win for Otago which before yesterday’s victory had picked up just one win with half of the games played in the regular season.

Otago coach Nathan King said it was a tight match but the side had finished strongly with the ball in the final five overs.

‘‘We were able to keep taking wickets all through the innings which put the pressure on them,’’ King said.

‘‘The girls did bowl well and we took a couple of good catches, which was good. In the past we have let them go down and that can make a big difference.’’

King said the score Otago put on the board was competitive and "OK" but none of the top order went on to make a defining score.

The score, though, was enough to be competitive and the Northern Spirit also had the same issue, as none of its players made a big score before it fell apart at the end.

Otago was put into bat by Northern.

It was a case of what might have been with the bat for the Sparks side. There were some useful contributions but not a big partnership to dominate the innings.

Suzie Bates scored a nice 49 and it looked like she was going to be in for a very productive afternoon, until she hit the ball straight down the throat of Northern skipper Felicity Leydon-Davis at long on.

Opener Millie Cowan and captain Katey Martin both went out to full tosses which was disappointing.

Northern Districts bowler Carolyn Esterhuizen picked up three wickets in the final over to boost her bowling average.

Wellington, in her first game for Otago, coming over from Australia and the Adelaide Strikers, bowled well and hit a couple of lusty blows.

With the victory, Otago stays in the mix for the finals and King said it was an obvious equation for his side.

The team just had to get out and win every game and it could still make the top three at the end of the regular season.

The side picked up no new injuries and will take on the the Canterbury side today.

 

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