Super Smash T20 Cricket: Sophie Devine created history in the clash between Wellington Blaze and Otago Sparks in the Twenty20 Super Smash, as she staged a knock of 108 from just 38 balls. She brought up her ton in just 36 deliveries which is the fastest hundred in Women’s T20 history, beating Deandra Dottin’s 38-ball century for the West Indies against South Africa in 2010.
Devine, who just returned to the side from 14-day isolation, helped her side thrash the Sparks by 10 wickets. They cantered to victory in just 8.4 overs after the Sparks put up a low total of 128/7.
The unbelievable knock was also the fastest T20 century in New Zealand. The previous best was Tim Seifert’s 40-ball effort for Northern Districts in Mount Maunganui in 2017.
It is also the second-fastest century by any New Zealander. Martin Guptill’s 35-ball ton for Worcestershire against Northamptonshire in 2018 still holds the first position.
Speaking after the match, Devine admitted that she was nervous after coming back from isolation. She added that she was pleased with her performance.
“I was really nervous this morning. Whenever you have a bit of an extended break away from the game, you get nervous about [whether] you can come back into it. So it was just [nice] to spend some time in the middle and get a few out of the screws.”
“For me it was just about playing smart cricket – to know where my gaps were, trying to manipulate the field … I felt I knew where they were trying to bowl so if I could manipulate myself around the crease, I could open up areas of the field, so, yeah, I’m pleased with the way it went today.”
“Sometimes I can get a little bit carried away … and I get a bit over eager and play some rash shots so it was nice to stick to some decent cricket shots today and finish the job.”
With the win, the Wellington Blaze now sits at the top of the Super Smash table ahead of the Auckland Hearts.