Papatuanuku and Ranginui dominated this weekend's action of Women's Super Smash, winning two games to leave Canterbury and Otago with victories over Central. While rain has impacted many Super Smash games, Central haven't gathered any points via no-results and are currently rooted to the bottom of the ladder with a 0-9 record.

There are a few funky wrinkles to highlight with Central before entering Super Smash finals. Natalie Dodd leads all batters with 324 runs @ 40.5avg/106.93sr, scoring four 50+ knocks in her nine games. Dodd scored 50 runs @ 100sr against Canterbury which gave her back to back scores over 50 in Super Smash and three 50+ scores in a row across Super Smash/HBJ Shield. Dodd could only manage 2 runs against Otago.

This is the second summer of T20 cricket in which Dodd has scored 300+ runs since her debut in 2007/08. Dodd scored 301 runs @ 43avg/97.41sr in the 2020/21 Super Smash with just one knock over 50, now she is well over 100sr and churning out consistent tallies. Dodd has played T20Is for White Ferns between 2015-18 and the experienced players continue to lead the way with development.

Dodd is joined by Canterbury's Kate Anderson as the only wahine with 300+ runs in Super Smash this season. Anderson hit 96 runs @ 133.33sr in Canterbury's win over Central and now has 308 runs @ 51.33avg/110sr, leading Canterbury for runs with Amy Satterthwaite sitting on 246 runs @ 61.5avg/115sr.

This is Anderson's first summer of T20 cricket with more than 210 runs and her first T20 campaign averaging more than 22. Anderson scored 170 runs @ 21.25avg/96.59sr with Northern last season and she has been a key addition to Canterbury. Now Anderson will play a crucial role alongside Satterthwaite as Canterbury chase a Super Smash championship.

Central's young duo of Flora Devonshire and Ocean Bartlett flashed their abilities, despite losing to Otago. 19-year-old Devonshire hit 39 runs @ 144sr and was the only Central batter to score over 20 runs, with the highest strike-rate in this game. Devonshire is also a lefty spinner and while she didn't take a wicket in her 3.2 overs, Devonshire looked comfy in high pressure overs.

This was the same vibe for 19-year-old Bartlett, who only scored 7 runs @ 77.7sr and took 1w @ 6.5rpo. Bartlett supported Devonshire with the bat as Central's experienced batters crumbled, giving Bartlett and Devonshire time to rebuild the innings. Bartlett was run-out sacrificing her wicket, before the two youngsters were asked to bowl in the last few overs with Bartlett offering intriguing leggies.

Polly Inglis (30* @ 85.7sr) and Felicity Leydon-Davis (25* @ 104.16sr) got the job done for Otago with composed innings. Devonshire and Bartlett didn't dominate their clutch overs, but Dodd's willingness to give the youngsters a crack was notable. While Central fans don't have any wins to celebrate, the mahi from Devonshire and Bartlett should be a ray of sunshine amongst the rain.

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