To our unlikely heroes desk..

Number 11 batter Marama Downes has clinched the Northern Brave a dramatic one-wicket win over Auckland in cricket's women's Super Smash - on TVNZ.

Chasing just 104 to win from 18 overs - the visitors needed seven from the final over when the opening bowler strode out onto the Eden Park Outer Oval.

But Downes showed no fear - lofting the fourth ball from spinner Maddy Green down the ground for the match-winning boundary.

It came after a crucial 32-run ninth wicket partnership between Skye Bowden and Kayley Knight, who came together with Northern on the brink of defeat at 67 for 8.