Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Sideline Sid now believes that fairy tales do come true. Last Saturday Black Caps Captain Courageous Brendan McCullum grabbed hold of one of the most coveted records in test cricket, when he blasted the all-time quickest test century off just 54 balls.

Cricket fans throughout New Zealand were willing the kiwi master blaster to finish in a blaze of glory in his last test match for our country.

However, the Black Caps skipper always bats on the edge where there is an extremely fine line between success and failure.

The whirlwind batting frenzy continued as he passed the magical three figures, until he caught by Nathan Lyon of the bowling of James Pattinson for 145.

While Captain Courageous won't be seen in the New Zealand uniform again, he is entitled to go down as one of the finest batsman to play for New Zealand.

Another Trans-Tasman cricket battle has been taking place in our own slice of paradise at the Bay Oval at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui.

The New Zealand White Ferns started a three match series last Saturday against Australia Women for a big piece of silverware simply called the Rosebowl.

Toady's finale in the three match series sets up a mouth-watering, winner take all clash.

Game one saw the White Ferns defend 202 with some determined bowling to get home by just nine runs, while Australia bludgeoned their way to an eight wicket victory in game two.

There is plenty of local interest in the current White Fern squad, with the selection of Anna Peterson, who learnt her skills in age group cricket in the Western Bay of Plenty.

While Anna isn't in action in the one-day series at the Bay Oval, she will rejoin the White Ferns for the T20 series against the Australians in Wellington and New Plymouth.

One of the joys of watching local age group cricket is the emergence of the rising stars of the future.

One such emerging prospect that could follow in Anna Peterson's footsteps to play for the White Ferns, is Western Bay of Plenty year nine student Nensi Patel.

Nensi, who already played for the Bay of Plenty senior women's team, while a pupil of Tauranga Intermediate, wrote her name into the NZ Cricket (Girls) Primary School championships late last year.

Two centuries and 343 runs, which included not scoring in Tauranga Intermediate's first game, set a new record for the annual tournament.

Since the resumption of school cricket in term one, Nensi is playing by invitation in a Tauranga Boys' College team in the Western Bay secondary school competitions, with plenty of success.

Mark down the name of Nensi Patel, as a young cricket player that you will hear plenty about in the future.

Seeya at the Bay Oval.