Canterbury, Central and Auckland early leaders at Women's Development

Big wins for Canterbury, Central Districts and Auckland ensured all three teams are undefeated and in a strong position after two rounds of the National Women’s Development Tournament at Ilam Playing Fields in Christchurch.

The top score of the day came from Central Districts who amassed 240 with half centuries from Esther Lanser (76) and Michele Frey (52). Canterbury batsman Lisa Moore was also among the runs with 54.

Canterbury’s Natalie Cox was the best bowler on display, ripping through the Northern Districts line up to finish with seven for 14 and was twice on sitting on a hat-trick. Roz McNeill from Auckland was also dominant with four for 13 against Wellington.

Canterbury v Northern Districts

Toss: Canterbury won the toss and elected to bat
Canterbury 190/5 (Moore 54, Hastings 48; Aburn 30 n.o.) beat
Northern Districts 85 (Cox 7/14)

Canterbury cruised to a 105 run win over Northern Districts. Lisa Moore struck 54 and Jessica Hasting hit 48 to lay the foundation with Hayley Aburn blasting an unbeaten 30 at the end of the innings to take them through to 190 off 50 overs.

Northern Districts were never in the match, bowled out for 85. Natalie Cox was unplayable, taking a remarkable seven for 14 to ensure Canterbury are unbeaten after two rounds.

Central District v Otago

Toss: Central Districts won the toss and elected to bat
Central Districts 240/3 (Lanser 76, Frey 52, Davies 41 n.o., Cloake 35 n.o.) beat
Otago 170/8 (Osbourne 26, Crowley 22 n.o., Foote 22; Rangnekar 2/22, Washington 2/23)

For the second match in a row Central Districts captain Esther Lanser starred with the bat, this time crafting 76 to guide her team through to the formidable total of 240. Lanser was supported by Michele Frey (52) Sophie Davies (41 n.o.) and Briar Cloake (35*).

In reply, Otago only managed 170 for eight to hand Central a comfortable 70 run win. The wickets were shared among the Central bowling attack with Sanika Rangnekar the best with two for 22.

Auckland v Wellington

Toss: Wellington won the toss and elected to field
Auckland 208/7 (Hickson 38, Yates 32, Preet-Gill 39; Bedford 2/25) beat
Wellington 70 (Bennett 27*: McNeill 4/13, Taylor 3/0, Cooke 2/6)

Auckland crushed Wellington by 138 runs to remain unbeaten in the tournament. The big win was set up by a team batting effort with Tessa Hickson (38), Pam Yates (32) and Komal Preet-Gill (39) the best of the line up.

Wellington crumbled in reply and were 24 for seven at one stage before Caitlin Eves and Jessica Bennett fought back with a 41 run partnership for the eight wickets. Bennett remained unbeaten on 27.

All of the Auckland bowling attack were deadly accurate with Roz McNeill the top wicket taker with four for 13. Melissa Taylor contributed three wickets without conceding a run.