Auckland Hearts have been equally impressive, largely controlling their campaign to maintain a top two position with 20 points from 7 matches in Women’s Super Smash 2025-26. Their success has been defined by a highly disciplined bowling core and a balanced top-order that has shown great composure under pressure, particularly in tight finishes like their recent one-run win over Otago Sparks.
Players to watch out:
Maddy Green
Maddy Green continues to prove why she is the heartbeat of the Hearts’ lineup, leading by example with both her captaincy and her consistent run-scoring. She has anchored several successful chases, including a vital 53 against Wellington Blaze and a composed 42 against Otago Sparks to ensure her side stayed ahead in the standings. She has scored 162 runs in 7 games at an average of 27 striking at 115.71. Beyond her batting, her clever off-spin has also yielded dividends, highlighted by a match-winning 3/16 spell against the Magicians in the most recent encounter.
Josie Penfold
Josie Penfold has become a key strike bowler for Auckland, showing a remarkable ability to deliver high-impact spells that break major partnerships. She currently holds one of the best bowling averages in the tournament at 14.14, a testament to her accuracy and wicket-taking knack. Her best figures of 4/29 this season have demonstrated her potential to dominate an innings, making her a player that every opposition batting unit must plan for. She has picked up 7 wickets so far in the tournament and continues to impress with her bowling as the tournament progresses.
Bella Armstrong
Bella Armstrong provides the Hearts with essential middle-order stability and an extra dimension with her medium-pace bowling. She is often the player tasked with providing a late-innings flourish or steadying the ship if early wickets fall, as seen in her unbeaten contributions during rain-shortened matches. With the bat, Bella has scored 72 runs in 6 innings striking at 122.03, while with the ball she has picked up 5 wickets at an economy rate of 5.75. Her versatility makes her a coach’s favorite, as she can impact the game in all three facets—batting, bowling, and sharp fielding.
