20 Dec 2021Northern Brave travelled up to Auckland for a rematch against the Hearts and Aces today in the Dream11 Super Smash.
Captain Brooke Halliday won the toss and opted to have a bat. Our openers started aggressively, with both Caitlin Gurrey and Kate Anderson hitting their first ball for four. That would the theme for the powerplay as they were 43/2 after the first six overs. Unfortunately, they were unable to capitalise on the strong start as frequent wickets stalled their innings, eventually making their way to 103/8 after their 20 overs. Gurrey led the way with a classy 34. Anderson (12), Halliday (13) and Shriya Naidu (14) were also key contributors.
The girls started well with the ball, Shriya Naidu and Lauren Heaps picked up the wickets of both the Hearts openers early on. The home side were able to rebuild after that but a double wicket 12th over kept our girls in the fight. First a fantastic direct hit from wicket-keeper Holly Topp affected a run out and then a caught and bowled from Halliday. Then just as the Hearts looked to pull away, a good running catch from Halliday off the bowling of Nensi Patel to dismiss Arlene Kelly kept them in it. But despite losing Katie Perkins, the Hearts would have enough to get over the line. Brooke Halliday picked up two wickets, Lauren Heaps, Shriya Naidu and Nensi Patel got one each.
Then the men were up, and the Brave once again won the toss, but this time Jeet Raval chose to bowl first. Right from the word go our bowlers were in fine form, Anurag Verma picked up the first wicket in the second over. And that would be a recurring theme as wickets fell at regular intervals. Some lower order runs helped the hosts post 92 before being bowled out. Freddy Walker (3-10) and Anurag Verma (3-14) finished with three wickets apiece, Ish Sodhi (2-5) chipped in with two and Matt Fisher (1-27) picked up one as well. Katene Clarke also contributed with an impressive direct hit run out.
The run chase was never in doubt, openers Tim Seifert and Katene Clarke added 65 for the first wicket before Clarke fell for 28. Jeet Raval and Joe Carter came and went quickly but an unbeaten 38 from Tim Seifert saw them take the win by six wickets with 29 balls remaining.
It’ll be a quick turnaround for the Brave sides as their next match is on Thursday when they host Canterbury Magicians and Kings at Bay Oval in Tauranga where it will be ‘Christmas at the Oval’.
Photo credit: Photosport
