Source: Radio New Zealand
Northern Districts women celebrate, as Wellington Blaze’s Jess McFadyen walks off the Basin Reserve. Marty Melville
Northern Brave have claimed the domestic one-day women’s cricket title for the first time, toppling star-studded Wellington Blaze.
Bowler Marama Downes led the charge in the grand final, bagging three wickets on Saturday at the Basin Reserve, including the key scalps of White Ferns Melie and Jess Kerr.
Batting first after winning the toss, ND were bowled out for 182 in 44 overs, posting a total that initially seemed below par.
However, Wellington’s chase was in tatters, with four wickets down inside just eight overs, and they fell 67 runs short in the 41st over, all out for 115.
Blaze opener Hannah Francis was the first Wellington batter to fall in the third over and she was swiftly followed by Melie Kerr in the sixth.
Kerr was trapped leg before wicket by Downes on just four runs and the collapse truly began, after Georgia Plimmer’s dismissal for 18 in the seventh over.
The Brave had only reached the final once before and it’s their first time lifting the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.
Downes was also handy with the bat, scoring 25 lower-order runs.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
