Wairarapa's Esther Lanser scored an unbeaten 52 as the Central Hinds women's team cruised to a seven-wicket win over Wellington Blaze in a limited-overs "friendly" in Palmerston North.
Lanser, who opened the Central innings after Wellington had posted 165 in 44 overs, impressed with her willingness to play each ball on
its merits.
After 10 overs she had only six runs, but once the formidable pace attack was seen off she became more aggressive and included eight fours in her knock.
Masterton-based Central coach Doug Bracewell was delighted with Lanser's approach on Sunday, saying she was one of few on either side not to give her wicket away through a loose shot.
"She knuckled down and did exactly the job we wanted her to do, it was good sensible stuff," Bracewell said.
Lanser's opening partner, White Fern Rachel Priest, struck seven fours in her 30 and some big hitting also came from other White Ferns Sara McGlashan (five fours in 22) and Aimee Watkins (seven fours in 34 not out).
Earlier, Wellington's 165 came after just three players made it into the 20s. White Fern Sophie Devine scored 41, while Liz Perry, a former Wairarapa rep, made 22.
Central used eight bowlers, and Wairarapa all-rounder Jessie Bennett took 1-24 from four overs.
While pleased with the victory, Bracewell said work was needed before the Hinds travelled to Invercargill in a fortnight to meet Otago in the first series of Twenty20 and one-day national competition games.
"It would be wrong to read too much into this result, the attitude of the players will be a lot different when points are up for grabs."
