Wellington's twin defending champion teams are both top of the table again after a brutal capital raid on Dunedin's University of Otago Oval today.

In her first game back on this side of the Tasman, star Sophie Devine smashed the third highest century in the history of the women's Dream11 Super Smash in a record knock that produced the world's fastest female T20 ton yet, off just 36 balls.

Devine reached 108 not out for Wellington Blaze off just 38 balls to mow down the Sparks' total of 128 for seven for a 10-wicket win in just 8.4 overs.

Devine's second century of 2020/21 (after a WBBL ton for the Perth Scorchers in November) was also faster than Tim Seifert's men's Dream11 Super Smash record of 40 balls at Bay Oval in 2017/18 for the Northern Knights against the Auckland Aces.

The win saw the Blaze leapfrog the Auckland Hearts at the top of women's table while counterparts the Wellington Firebirds have a perfect record after five games - the halfway point of their regular season.

Their five-wicket win over the Otago Volts at the same venue today pushed them four points ahead of the Central Stags, and was ensured by another outstanding knock from the 21-year-old flying Finn.

Finn Allen's unbeaten 92* off 43 balls contained eight sixes and was his third consecutive T20 fifty, and second unbeaten knock in the 90s in the space of three games.

Allen simply ran out of balls to reach a maiden T20 century as the Firebirds chased down the Volts' 167 for five in just 16.3 overs to go five from five.

Allen is the men's league's second highest run-scorer with 322 at a strike rate of 197.4, behind Central Stags opener George Worker (338 at SR 148.24) whom the Volts will meet at Pukekura Park on Monday.

Allen has the highest average of the league with 107.33 and has hit a total of 33 boundaries and 16 sixes from his five innings.

Tomorrow the action returns to Christchurch's Hagley Oval where the Canterbury Magicians and Kings will host the Northern Spirit and Knights from 3.20PM; a midtable clash for the women whilst the Knights are hungry to get their second win after four losses in the first half of their campaign.

The Kings meanwhile sit in third spot, and can go equal second with the Stags tomorrow.

Article added: Friday 15 January 2021