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Sport Nation
Wellington Blaze extinguish Otago Sparks to be crowned Women's Super Smash Champions
Sport Nation • February 2nd, 2025 3:30 pm
Photo: Photosport
The Wellington Blaze have edged Otago Sparks by eight runs to win the Women's Super Smash title for 2024/25.
In a low-scoring affair at the Basin Reserve, the hometown heroes were able to defend their total of 104/8, holding the Sparks to 96/9 to claim their ninth domestic T20 title in what was their eight consecutive trip to the big dance.
Australian Hannah Darlington was the stand-out for the Blaze, taking 4/16 to turn the tide in her side's favour, adding to her team-high score of 26.
Blaze players celebrate a wicket I Photo: Photosport
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the hosts got off to a nightmare start, with opener Rebecca Burns run out without facing a delivery from the very first ball of the match.
Melie Kerr and Darlington dug in to rebuild for the Blaze, putting on a 39-run partnership before Kerr was caught off a miscued shot for 15 from 22 balls.
Darlington slammed 26 runs until falling victim to a rash shot, and the wickets continued to tumble for the Blaze.
Fellow Aussie Maitlan Brown (16 off 9) was the only other batter to make hay, as the locals limped past 100 with two balls remaining in the innings.
Defending a modest total, the Blaze quickly evened the ledger with a trio of wickets, sending dangerwoman Suzie Bates packing for just 9, then striking twice in one Darlington over to reduce the Sparks to 28/3 after six.
Hayley Jensen was bowled three overs later by Brown, leaving the chase finely poised at 48/4 at the halfway stage of the Sparks innings.
Super Smash Grand Finals Wrap I Sport Nation Cricket
Darlington soon struck yet another big blow, her pinpoint yorker undoing Caitlin Blakely, before Melie Kerr's wrong'un trapped Polly Inglis in front of her stumps and suddenly the Sparks were teetering at 63/6 in the 14th over.
Anna Browning's ramp shot off Jess Kerr found the hands of Sam MacKinder at short fine-leg, leaving the visitors at 72/7.
The eighth and ninth wickets fell for just five runs, leaving the Sparks needing 20 off the final over, ultimately falling short.
In the men's Grand Final to follow, the Central Stags will take on the Canterbury Kings.
