Canterbury’s second most outstanding bowling figures in their long, fine history and a superb all-round performance by Jacinta Savage; a career-best bowling performance from fringe WHITE FERN Jess Watkin; and Auckland Heart Bella Armstrong’s maiden one-day half century were all highlights of spectacular third round of the national one-day women’s championship today.
In her 71st match for the Canterbury Magicians, Savage had a blinder with bat and ball. Previously the bits and pieces player had three List A fifties to her name, a best of 55, and just 21 wickets from 1,076 deliveries.
Today she stepped up with 6-18 off just 43 balls to bag the second best figures in Canterbury’s history, behind only former WHITE FERN Rebecca Steele’s standout 6-8, 15 years ago.
The Savage performance was also Canterbury’s best bowling against ND – bettering WHITE FERNS legend Catherine Campbell’s 5-12 in 1999/2000 – and stunned Northern Districts who had made a good start to the match by winning the toss, sending the unbeaten Magicians in, and, crucially, getting rid of Frankie McKay early.
Earlier, Savage had top-scored for the Magicians with 59 after the big names had fallen early, and with her last ball sealed a bonus point victory that kept the Magicians unbeaten and behind the Central Hinds only on net run rate on the points table after three rounds.