Katey Martin showed all her experience to guide the WHITE FERNS to a competitive score in Sharjah,

Martin makes her mark

Posted Wednesday, 8 November, 2017 in International Match Reports

Otago Sparks batswoman Katey Martin was the Player of the Match as the WHITE FERNS claimed a convincing 15-run victory against Pakistan in the opening T20I in Sharjah.

The 32-year-old showed her class with 46 runs from 27 balls to help glue the visitor's innings together and post a challenging 148-run target.

Pakistan's chase failed to truly threaten the total, with the WHITE FERNS bowlers combining to control the early run-rate, before taking late wickets to see out the game.

Scorecard

Playing in her 150th international for the WHITE FERNS, all-rounder Sophie Devine set the tone for the batting innings with a typically dominant 41 runs off 29 balls opening the batting.

The powerful right-hander continued her strong tour form, striking two sixes and three fours as her side made a strong start after being asked to bat first.

Auckland Hearts batswoman Katie Perkins (26) was the perfect foil for Devine and the pair put on 68 runs for the second-wicket.

When they both departed within an over of each other, it fell upon the experienced duo of Martin and Canterbury Magician’s left-hander Amy Satterthwaite to steer the innings.

Satterthwaite looked good for her 17, before she fell victim to spinner Sadia Yousef (3-30), who was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers.

Martin continued to score freely at the other end and hit the gaps expertly to help post what appeared to be a strong 148-run target on the slow-turning pitch.

The host’s made a steady start in reply with a 44-run opening stand inside seven overs, but they failed to accelerate the innings from there.

Tight bowling and some quality fielding, including two run-outs, ensured the asking run-rate progressively climbed.

The run-out of Javeria Khan for 27 was a big moment and a particularly impressive piece of work by Anna Peterson who threw down the stumps from side on.

Senior pace-bowler Lea Tahuhu led the attack yet again, getting through her four overs with figures of 1-19.

Devine also made a promising return to the bowling crease, taking a wicket and conceding just 17 runs from her three overs.

Pakistan entered the final five overs requiring 54 runs to win with seven wickets in hand, but couldn’t find the fence when they needed to.

It was the young-guns who closed it out for the WHITE FERNS, with Thamsyn Newton (2-22), Amelia Kerr and Leigh Kasperek bowling the final few overs.

The teams now have less than 24 hours to recover for game two, which is at the same time (7pm NZT) Thursday night.

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