Otago Sparks Women have had a fine run in the Women’s Super Smash 2025-26 so far, sitting 2nd on the table, with 2 wins and a solitary loss in their last game. They have been quite dominant with their performances so far, especially on the bowling front, with no team surpassing a total of 150 against their bowlers.
However, their loss had been disappointing as they had bowled out Northern Brave Women for 138, which is an easy chase by their standards. An early collapse in the Sparks’ batting order, with just one batter reaching double figures, really put them on the back foot, and they were bowled out for just 114. Polly Inglis and her team will be looking to get back on winning terms so that they can maintain the momentum they have generated so far in their campaign.
The team next faces Auckland Hearts in match 9 of the Women’s Super Smash 2025-26, scheduled for the 6th of January 2026, at Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland, starting 9:20 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Players to watch out:
Louisa Kotkamp
Kotkamp has emerged as the standout bowler for her team and one of the best in the tournament as well. She got her best figures against Central Hinds, where she got a 3-wicket haul, conceding only 24 runs. She has picked up 6 wickets in the tournament so far, and the batters would be wary of her bowling. With the form she is in, it would be difficult for the batters to outwit her, and she will be looking to pounce on the momentum she has had so far to help her side cement a spot in the top two.
Emma Black
Emma has been exceptional with her bowling so far in the tournament, with 5 wickets to her name. Her spells have been economical, containing the flow of runs from the opposition. Her best spell in this tournament so far came against Canterbury Magicians, where she scalped two wickets for 19 runs from her 4 overs. Emma’s pace bowling could be deadly to batters with the variations she has and her ability to consistently hit her lengths. Auckland Hearts will be looking to play out her bowling spell as they cannot take many risks anymore with their recent results and poor run of form.
Laura Harris
Laura Harris had a thundering entry into Super Smash 2025-26, with a massive 52 off 17 balls, equalling the record for the fastest fifty in Women’s T20s. She made a decent impact in the next match as well with a quickfire 24. Harris will be hungry for runs coming into the game against Auckland Hearts, and with the kind of form she is in, the bowlers would be cautious not to bowl it into her hitting range. Laura would be key to their plans, considering her experience and ability to play the long innings and to take the game deep with her style of batting.
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