A half-century to all-rounder Amelia Kerr has led Wellington Blaze to a 45-run Super Smash victory over Canterbury Magicians at the Basin Reserve.
Batting first after Wellington captain Maddy Green won the toss, Kerr arrived at the crease in the fourth over at 14/1 and stroked 50 runs from 41 balls, hitting four boundaries.
Kerr's half-century, combined with contributions of 32 from 38 balls to Rebecca Burns and an unbeaten 20 from 15 balls to Jess Kerr, saw Wellington post 142/4 from their 20 overs.
In response, Canterbury's chase got off to the worst possible start, as opening batter Natalie Cox fell to the first ball of the Magicians innings, stumped by Jessica McFayden, off the bowling of Maneka Singh.
Singh's efforts with the ball went a long way towards securing the Blaze's victory, finishing with figures of 1/7 from her four overs.
Canterbury captain Frances Mackay top-scored with a hard-hitting 55 not out from 47 balls, but ran out of partners, as her teammates fell around her.
After Mackay, Canterbury's next best score came from Lea Tahuhu - who scored a run-a-ball 15, as the Magicians limped to 97/7 from 20 overs.
White Ferns spinner Kasperek was the pick of Wellington's bowlers, with 3/21 from her four overs, supported by 2/17 from Jess Kerr, and one wicket apiece to Singh and Thamsyn Newton (1/17).
The win sees the Blaze maintain their unbeaten start to the summer, sitting second on the Super Smash ladder with three wins from three for 12 points.
Otago Sparks lead the competition after the early stages, with four wins from four, after playing one more match than the Blaze, who boast a superior net run rate.
Canterbury are fourth with four points, winning one and losing two of their opening three matches.
