Kate Ebrahim News Today

Suzie Bates continued her sparkling form with the bat as the Otago Sparks eclipsed the Auckland Hearts by 31 runs in their women's Super Smash match in Auckland.

In today's sports news - Wellington Phoenix game postponed, City net a half dozen, India start well and Wilkinson scores five in A-League.

Otago have won the toss and decided to bowl first in their Twenty20 Super Smash cricket match against Central Districts in Napier

To domestic cricket's Super Smash..

Otago have won the toss and decided to bowl first in their Twenty20 Super Smash cricket match against Central Districts in Napier

Two great pieces of fielding undone by big extras count for visitors in Dunedin.

Otago skipper belted Northern Districts' bowlers all around the University of Otago Oval in a record partnership, before the ladder leaders were forced to share the points.

White Ferns star hits crucial half century, while Hayley Jensen and Sophie Oldershaw also come up trumps as hosts prevail in opening-game nailbiter.

Otago keep up their unbeaten start to the summer, with defending champions Canterbury still searching for their first win of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.

A huge unbroken third-wicket partnership set the Sparks on their way to finally ending a 32-month run without a one-day victory.