Wellington Blaze team to play Central Hinds in Women’s One-Day final

The Wellington Blaze squad to meet the Central Hinds at Nelson Park in Napier in the final of the 2009/10 domestic Women’s One-Day competition, on Sunday 31 January, is:

Megan Wakefield - Captain
Lucy Doolan - Vice Captain
Sarah Bradbury
Kerry Anne Tomlinson
Amanda Cooper
Sophie Devine
Mindy Hodgson
Liz Perry
Sian Ruck
Andrea Stockwell
Alex Evans
Michelle Bunkall

The Wellington Blaze squad of twelve for the final is unchanged from that which met the Central Hinds in a rain-affected last round of Women’s domestic One-Day and Twenty20 matches at Kelburn Park last weekend.

The Hinds defeated the Blaze by 8 wickets in the first of two One-Day matches on Friday, with the second 50-over match on Saturday and Twenty20 fixture on Sunday both washed out.

The Blaze will be competing in their third limited overs final in the past four seasons, after previously contesting the final in 2006/007 and again last year. The Central Hinds last made the final in 2007/08. Both teams lost to Canterbury in these finals.

Blaze captain Megan Wakefield says the team is firmly focused on ending the season on a winning note. “We are really looking forward to another crack at the 50-over title this year and hope to go one better than last year by winning it,” says Wakefield. “We have been playing some really good cricket and are ready to come out firing this weekend after the disappointing loss to the Hinds on Saturday.”

Wakefield says the influence of the Blaze’s senior players will be key against a strong Hinds line-up.

“They are a really good side boasting five current White Ferns so it’s going to be a great contest.

“We will be looking to our big game players in White Ferns players Lucy Doolan, Sian Ruck and Sophie Devine to be at their best, as well as the likes of Liz Perry, Amanda Cooper and myself to play key roles in bringing home the title.”

The One-Day final follows the domestic Women’s Twenty20 final at the same venue on Saturday between the Hinds and the Auckland Hearts.

Blaze coach Mark Borthwick says that while it’s frustrating that the Blaze won’ be defending their Twenty20 title this year, winning the One-Day final is a huge incentive:

“We’re going up on Saturday and will be watching the Twenty20 final on the sidelines. While this will be bittersweet, I am certain it will inspire the girls to prevail on Sunday.

“A great deal of focus has been placed on our performances in 50-over cricket this season and while the Twenty20 final would have been great to be involved in the real driver for the Blaze has been developing the competencies to deliver better performances in the longer version of the game.”

Wellington Blaze v Central Hinds – match information Where: Nelson Park, Napier When: This Sunday, from 10.30am ENDS

ENDS

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