Mel Knight
Player-coach Mel Knight hit a career-best 127 not out and shared a second-wicket partnership of 90 with daughter Kayley as Gisborne beat Palmerston North by 117 runs in a Super City 40-overs game in Hastings on Sunday.
“It was predominantly a game between our under-19 girls and Palmerston’s under-18s, with a couple of senior players,” said Knight — the Poverty Bay Cricket Association general manager and women’s development office.
“I really enjoyed the chance to bat with Kayley and scoring a ton and winning made it even more enjoyable.
“We’ve got Hawke’s Bay here on Sunday and we’re all looking forward to the game.”
Batting first, Gisborne posted 245-9.
Knight’s outstanding century knock included 21 fours and came from just 70 balls.
Gisborne openers Phoebe Taylor and Kayley Knight gave their team a great start. They had compiled a stand of 72 when Taylor was run out for 34.
The Knight mother/daughter combination built on that with a partnership of 90.
Knight senior dominated the Palmerston attack while Gisborne Girls’ High student Kayley provided good support before being dismissed for 36.
While Mel Knight controlled her end, wickets tumbled at regular intervals at the other, but 246 to win was always going to be a big ask of Palmerston.
“We made the most of their change bowlers, putting the bad balls away,” Mel Knight said.
A little luck and some solid batting had Palmerston’s openers going well. Jayxena Piwari bowled some exceptional outswingers, beating the bat many times with balls that were too good to find an edge.
The game changed when first-change bowler Emma Hayes was brought on. Hayes took three wickets in her first over, including both openers.
“Phoebe followed Jayx at the other end on a Cornwall Park pitch that resembled a road,” said Mel Knight.
“With her change of pace and good in-swingers, she picked up two wickets in her short spell.”
Palmerston found themselves in all sorts of trouble at 35-5, which gave Knight the chance to give their younger players time with the ball.
“Bayleigh Colbert and Paige Bentley, who are both under 15, bowled well. Bayleigh picked up two wickets and Paige created several half-chances but was unlucky that the ball kept evading the fielders.
“Rubi Perano kept wicket well and took a good catch off Taylor’s bowling.
“Kayley took a screamer of a catch from the last ball of Rachel Scott’s first over, diving full-length to her left to hold on to a well-hit lofted drive at short cover.”
Kayley then bowled the very next ball — the first of her spell — a perfect delivery that nipped back and clipped the top of the stumps.
A memorable dayTo cap a memorable day, she effected a snappy run-out, gathering the ball quickly and knocking over the stumps at the bowler’s end.
Colbert took the last wicket with help from Piwari, who held a well-hit drive at extra cover.
Mel Knight said it was an emphatic win for Gisborne.
“It’s our first game in two seasons and I was pleased with the efforts in the field and with the ball by all the younger girls.”