After a positive opening round win over the Hearts yesterday, the Wellington Blaze were unable to make it two from two in match two of the weekend, falling short by just ten runs in a thriller at the Basin Reserve.
Hearts batter Anna Peterson (102* off 99 balls) combined with fellow WHITE FERN Katie Perkins (101* off 94 balls) in a massive 198*-run fourth-wicket stand in a competitive 262 for three at the Basin Reserve - after having been sent in by Blaze captain Deanna Doughty.
It was Peterson's maiden Women's List A century to boot, and a third hundred and career best for Perkins. The pair easily surpassed the former Auckland Hearts fourth-wicket partnership record of 157*, that had been set by Sara McGlashan and Maddy Green just two seasons earlier.
The Blaze had had their visitors in trouble at 64 for three before the experienced duo calmly wrested control from the 22nd over, picking up the pace as they batted through the remainder of the innings.
Perkins started cautiously but blasted seven boundaries in the space of just 10 deliveries to race through the 80s and 90s to reach her three figures in the nick of time.
In reply, Blaze made a strong start, the top three all in the runs, but ultimately kept in check by spinner Peterson with the ball.
Jess McFadyen (45) and Rebecca Burns (58) put on 97 for the first wicket and that was followed by McFadyen sharing a 40-run stand with Liz Perry (55).
However, Peterson bowled both Perry and Burns shortly after they had reached their respective fifties, proving just enough to take away crucial momentum.
Roz McNeill meanwhile picked up 2-58 at the death.
Bowling at fifth change, Peterson had carried on to finish with 4-43 off her 10 overs, in a tense finish that saw Blaze coming with touching distance at 253 for seven, but falling just nine runs short in the allotted 50 overs after Holly Huddleston permitted just three runs off the tense 49th.
Blaze had needed 27 off 14 balls. Arlene Kelly took the ball for the last over and, while Maneka Singh found the boundary three times, she and Xara Jetly could find only 14 runs in a tough final-over equation.
Article added: Sunday 17 November 2019