State Insurance Cup reaches exciting finale

AUCKLAND v CANTERBURY

The State Insurance Cup, New Zealand Cricket's premier women's provincial competition culminates in an exciting final this weekend between the top two qualifiers - State Auckland Hearts and Canterbury.

The one-off 50 over final will be played at the Village Green, QE II Park, Christchurch on Saturday 10 February with a reserve day on Sunday. Play commences at 11.00am.

Both teams completed round robin play on 17 points with 8 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie, and Canterbury wins the right to host the Final by having a higher net run rate.

In the first round of the competition back in early January, played at the Village Green, the result of the first match between the two sides was a tie however in the match the following day the State Auckland Hearts were convincing winners. Canterbury then went on to remain unbeaten for the rest of the competition while State Auckland Hearts were comprehensively beaten by State Northern Districts in Round 2.

The strength of State Auckland Hearts has been the batting of CLEAR White Ferns' captain Emily Drumm who in the last round had scores of 77*, 64* and 118. Rebecca Rolls, who opened the batting for the CLEAR White Ferns in the recent CricInfo Women's World Cup, has continued in this role for Auckland. The bowling is based around Natalee Scripps, Clare Nicholson, captain Kathryn Ramel and allrounder Helen Watson who has shifted to Auckland.

Canterbury has been through a rebuilding phase this season as CLEAR White Ferns Debbie Hockley, Catherine Campbell and Katrina Keenan have not played since the World Cup and Helen Watson has shifted to Auckland. Newcomers Sarah Burke and Fiona Fraser have had promising debut seasons at this level but it has been the batting of CLEAR White Fern Paula Flannery that has impressed. She scored her maiden century at this level against State Otago Sparks in Round 3 at the Village Green and followed that up with a punishing 92 in last weekend's match against State Northern Districts at Hagley Oval. Captain Lisa Astle has also hit form with 86 off 101 balls against State Northern Districts. Coached by Lindsay Thorn, the strength of Canterbury is in the collective ability of its players to contribute to a solid all-round performance.

Lesley Murdoch, convenor of the national selectors is excited by the prospect of the final and says:

"The State Insurance Cup final will be the culmination of a very busy and exciting season for women's cricket in New Zealand. The tremendous CricInfo Women's World Cup win was the spur for some very exciting cricket to be played at the national under 21 tournament and I hope the State Insurance Cup final will see an even higher standard of play.

"The Village Green is in great condition and the form of some of the CLEAR White Ferns has been exceptional in the last couple of weeks. Coupled with the continued development of some talented young players in both teams I am expecting a close and exciting game on Saturday."

The umpires will be Brent Bowden and Kathy Cross.