Auckland Hearts and Northern Brave are set to face-off in high stakes encounter on January 22, with both sides desperate to cement their place in the top three as the Women’s Super Smash 2025-26 nears its business end. Currently, Auckland Hearts holds a slight edge on the table, sitting in third place with 20 points from eight matches, having secured four wins and a wash-out. Northern Brave are breathing down their necks in fourth, just one point behind with 19 points, though they have been somewhat unlucky with two of their fixtures ending in no results. Auckland’s recent form has been a bit of a rollercoaster, alternating between dominant wins and frustrating losses, while Northern Brave will be looking to regain momentum after their last completed game ended in a defeat.
Squads:
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
Northern Brave Women’s Cricket Team
Tash Wakelin, Jess Watkin, Jo Gardner, Caitlin Gurrey, Nensi Patel, Marina Lamplough, Kayley Knight, Eve Wolland, Holly Topp, Lucy Boucher, Carol Agafili, Marama Downes
Players to watch out:
Brooke Halliday
Brooke Halliday has been the standout performer with the bat this season, currently leading the run-scoring charts for Auckland Hearts. In her 8 matches, she has amassed 209 runs at a solid average of 34.83, including two half-centuries. Her ability to find the boundary is evident from her 22 fours and 2 sixes, while her strike rate of 116.75 has provided the necessary impetus to the Hearts’ middle order throughout the campaign.
Caitlin Gurrey
Leading the charge for Northern Brave, Caitlin Gurrey has shown glimpses of her destructive potential at the top of the order. She has scored 133 runs across 7 innings, highlighted by a brilliant unbeaten 64 that serves as her season high. While her average sits at 26.60, her role as an anchor for the Brave has been crucial, especially considering her ability to stay until the end, as reflected in her high number of 15 boundaries.
Molly Penfold
Molly Penfold has spearheaded Auckland Hearts’ bowling attack with great consistency, picking up 9 wickets in 8 matches. Her best performance came with a clinical spell of 3 for 15, and she has maintained an impressive economy rate of 7.26 in a format that often favors batters. Her knack for taking wickets at crucial intervals is further highlighted by her strike rate of 12.66, making her one of the most effective strike bowlers in the competition.
Kayley Knight
Providing vital breakthroughs for Northern Brave, Kayley Knight has managed to take 6 wickets in her 7 appearances so far. She has been particularly disciplined with her line and length, maintaining an economy of 6.23 which is among the best for her side. With a best bowling performance of 2 for 20 and a strike rate of 21.33, she continues to be a reliable option for her captain during both the powerplay and the middle overs.
Pitch:
The Outer Oval is a renowned batters’ paradise featuring a flat, firm surface and lightning-fast outfields. While the pitch provides consistent bounce and some early swing for pacers, it is defined by its extremely short boundaries that make defending any total difficult. Though spinners can find some grip if the track slows down in the second innings.
Weather:
The weather will be partly sunny with a high of 22°C and a low of 18°C. There is a 25% chance of rain during the day under moderate west winds of 20 mph. Conditions will shift to partly cloudy by evening with humidity levels reaching 84%.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Prue Catton, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Amie Hucker, Josie Penfold, Molly Penfold, Caitlin Gurrey, Nensi Patel, Kayley Knight, Eve Wolland, Marama Downes
Match Details:
Date – January 22, 2026
Time – 6:40 AM IST
Venue – Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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