The Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington, will host the Wellington Blaze and the Central Hinds in the round 2 fixtures of the ongoing 8th edition of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HJS). The game is slated for 3:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) on the 17th of November 2024.
Squads:
Wellington Blaze Women
Rebecca Burns (C), Leigh Kasperek, Nicole Baird, Rachel Bryant, Natasha Codyre, Hannah Francis, Antonia Hamilton (WK), Jess Kerr, Caitlin King, Gemma Sims, Xara Jetly, Phoenix Williams
Central Hinds Women
Mikaela Greig (C), Aniela Apperley Georgia Atkinson, Ocean Bartlett, Flora Devonshire, Grace Foreman, Kate Gaging (WK), Claudia Green, Jess Ogden, Emma Mcleod, Thamsyn Newton, Rosemary Mair, Hannah Rowe, Kerry Tomlinson
Players to watch out:
Leigh Kasperek
The 32-year-old all-rounder, in the HJS last summer, amassed 277 runs from 10 innings at an average of 27.70, while from 11 outings, she scalped 18 wickets at an economy rate of 4.00. Leigh was a standout last season, and though she departed for 2 in this season’s opener, she returned figures of 1/24 (8.4) and can be banked upon to lead from the front.
Xara Jetly
The 23-year-old right-arm off-spinner, from 11 HJS appearances last edition, struck 17 wickets at an average of 19.47 and an economy rate of 3.71. Xara has picked up from where she left off last season, returning figures of 3/32 (9), and was also handy with the bat, chipping in with 28 (44). She can be relied upon for impactful all-round efforts.
Georgia Atkinson
The 24-year-old top-order batter, from 9 HJS outings last season, posted 274 runs at an average of 34.25 and also claimed 2 wickets from three innings. Georgia is a seasoned campaigner in the domestic circuit and, though she departed cheaply for 7 this season, she also bagged figures of 1/3 (3). She should be backed to step up her batting efforts.
Rosemary Mair
The 26-year-old all-rounder made the most of her limited HJS appearances last season, adding 122 runs from 4 innings while also taking 8 wickets from 5 outings at an economy rate of 3.84. Rosemary has been in outstanding form lately, particularly with the ball, and though she has had a quiet start to this campaign, she can be counted on for the goods.
Pitch:
The wicket at Cello Basin Reserve provides a certain degree of assistance to the batters. Although it is a batting-friendly surface, the average score at the venue remains in the 210s, as bowlers, both pacers and spinners, also benefit from the assistance on offer.
Weather:
The temperature is forecast to be around 14°C, with moderate winds, mostly sunny skies, and humidity at 54%. Clear conditions promise a complete game of cricket in Wellington.
Fantasy playing XI:
Kate Gaging, Mikaela Greig, Emma Mcleod, Thamsyn Newton, Rebecca Burns, Claudia Green, Leigh Kasperek, Georgia Atkinson, Jess Kerr, Xara Jetly, Rosemary Mair
Match details:
Date – November 17, 2024
Time – 3:00 AM IST
Venue – Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
Broadcast – The game will be live streamed on New Zealand Cricket’s YouTube channel.
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