CRICKET - McGlashan and Williams star as Hinds extinguish Blaze

ANENDRA SINGH
It's never easy leaving the comforts of home but it seems the decision of two top women cricketers to migrate south for some high-intensity action is paying dividends.
The former Harvey's Cornwall Club pair of Sara McGlashan and Zara Williams showed their worth at the weekend as the Central Districts Hinds emerged on top of the State League women's one-day cricket standings.
In a rain marred second round of matches yesterday allrounder McWilliams, batting at No.6, carved her first half century at league level then delivered with the ball, claiming two scalps for 17 runs off her seven overs as the Wellington Blaze succumbed to a 44-run loss under the Duckworth/Lewis system at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth.
White Fern McGlashan, batting at No.4, made a swashbuckling 33 before holing at cover yesterday while fellow New Zealand wicketkeeper/batsman Rachel Priest was two runs shy of a half century at No.7 as skipper Aimee Mason led by example with 78 runs as CD piled a record total of 291-7.
"It was good to see that Rachel didn't come from behind and overtake me in smashing just 10 balls," McWilliams told SportToday after she was named the player of the day.
She and McGlashan are living and playing club cricket in Christchurch this season. McWilliams is doing a degree in geography at Canterbury University while McGlashan is working part-time with New Zealand Cricket's Alec Astle.
"In Christchurch there's commitment every weekend whereas in Hawke's Bay we have to wait until the (interdistrict) Taranaki, New Plymouth and Wanganui games for some serious competition," said McWilliams, 24, who is playing for the Lancaster Park club while McGlashan pads up for defending champions East Shirley.
Modest in the self-appraisal of her innings, but fulfilling coach Kerry Strange's requirement, McWilliams said she merely went in and rotated strike for the other batswomen.
With not a ball bowled in the Auckland versus Otago match in Auckland and only one innings possible in the Northern Districts and Canterbury encounter at Mt Maunganui, the Hinds enjoyed their double-header wins at the weekend at Pukekura Park as rain thwarted the Capital's run chase after 39.1 overs.
On Friday McGlashan made mincemeat of the Wellington attack on her way to an unbeaten 91 as Central compiled 170 for three. Wellington could only reach 121 for six in reply.
McGlashan, who struck four sixes and 11 fours in her 49-ball knock, put on 150 for the third wicket with international teammate Mason (66).