Auckland Hearts head into Match 21 of Women’s Super Smash 2025-26 sitting comfortably in second place on the table with 20 points from 7 matches, having recently secured a clinical seven-wicket win over Canterbury Magicians. Meanwhile, Central Hinds are right on their heels in third position with 19 points, though they have a game in hand and a slightly lower Net Run Rate (NRR) of -0.270 compared to Auckland’s +0.412. This match at McLean Park marks the first time these two sides have met this season, and with both teams coming off solid performances, it’s a crucial battle for that top two security.
Squads:
Central Hinds Women’s Cricket Team
Hannah Rowe, Lizzy Cohr, Flora Devonshire, Kate Gaging, Claudia Green, Ashtuti Kumar, Emma McLeod, Rosemary Mair, Cate Pedersen, Grace Scrivens, Bryony Smith, Kerry Tomlinson
Auckland Hearts Women’s Cricket Team
Olivia Anderson, Bella Armstrong, Elizabeth Buchanan, Prue Catton, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Amie Hucker, Bree Illing, Ayaan Lambat, Josie Penfold, Molly Penfold
Players to watch out:
Ashtuti Kumar
Ashtuti has been a reliable wicket-taking option for Central Hinds throughout this campaign. Across 6 matches, she has bagged 7 wickets, highlighted by an impressive spell of 4/13 that showcased her ability to rip through a batting order. While her economy rate of 7.50 is slightly on the higher side, her strike rate of 13.71 proves she’s someone who consistently finds breakthroughs when the team needs them most.
Molly Penfold
Molly has been a standout performer in the Hearts’ bowling department, sitting near the top of the charts with 8 wickets from 6 innings. She has been incredibly disciplined, maintaining a healthy economy of 7.11 and even managing a maiden over, which is a rarity in this format. Her best figures of 3/15 reflect her role as a genuine strike bowler who can handle the pressure of the powerplay and death overs.
Prue Catton
Prue has been a steadying force in the middle order for Auckland, chipping in with 118 runs in her 7 appearances so far. She showed her class with a well-made 51, proving she can anchor an innings and shift gears when required. While her strike rate of 97.52 suggests a more calculated approach, her ability to stay at the crease has been vital for the Hearts in building competitive totals.
Bryony Smith
Bryony has been one of the most explosive batters in the tournament, providing Central Hinds with some serious firepower at the top. She has amassed 156 runs in just 6 games at a blistering strike rate of 162.50, which is among the best in the competition. With 26 boundaries and 3 sixes to her name, she’s clearly a player who looks to dominate the opposition from the very first ball.
Pitch:
McLean Park in Napier features a batting-friendly surface with good bounce, pace, and a fast outfield that supports high scores, especially early in matches. Recent games show pacers gaining extra carry, while it slows later, challenging spinners. Average first-innings scores hover around 180 in limited-overs cricket, with teams batting first winning more often.
Weather:
Expect typical mid-summer conditions with daytime highs around 24-26°C and lows near 16°C under partly cloudy skies. Light winds from the northwest turning easterly may bring a slight chance of showers in the afternoon, but no major interruptions are anticipated.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Flora Devonshire, Ashtuti Kumar, Emma McLeod, Rosemary Mair, Grace Scrivens, Bryony Smith, Prue Catton, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Josie Penfold, Molly Penfold
Match Details:
Date – January 16, 2026
Time – 6:40 AM IST
Venue – McLean Park, Napier
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
Loves all things female cricket