Match 23: Otago Sparks Women vs Wellington Blaze Women | Squads, Players to Watch, Live Streaming Details

Wellington Blaze hold second place in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HJS) 2025-26 standings with 23 points from seven outings, five wins and two losses, NRR -0.250, their form showing green in recent games. Otago Sparks are fifth with 10 points, two wins from seven, NRR +0.136, but are struggling with losses piling up. The table image highlights Wellington’s stronger run, while Otago needs a spark to climb.

Squads:

Otago Sparks Women’s Cricket Team

Polly Inglis, Emma Black, Caitlin Blakely, Anna Browning, Chloe Deerness, Eva Gray, Laura Harris, Bella James, Louisa Kotkamp, Felicity Robertson, Anika Todd, PJ Watkins, Olivia Gain, Hannah O’Connor, Issy Parry, Saffron Wilson

Wellington Blaze Women’s Cricket Team

Nicole Baird, Maitlan Brown, Rebecca Burns, Hannah Francis, Xara Jetley, Jess McFayden, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Ellyse Perry, Isla McKenzie, Georgia Plimmer, Jess Simmons, rachel Bryant, Antonia Hamilton, Sam Mackinder, Gemma Sims

Players to watch out:

Saffron Wilson

Saffron has been a vital part of the Otago Sparks’ championship-winning campaign, contributing with both bat and ball. While her run tally sits at 216 for the season with a best of 79 averaging 36, her real impact came in the field and during crucial middle-order partnerships that kept the scoreboard moving. She played a supporting role in the Sparks’ thrilling last-ball victory to clinch the title.

Rebecca Burns

Rebecca remains one of the most aggressive openers in the domestic circuit for the Wellington Blaze. Despite a few unlucky dismissals, she managed to score 126 runs this season, including a brisk 87 earlier in the competition. She averages 31.50 and her strike rate of 79.74 speaks of her intent at the top of the order continues to be the engine room for the Blaze’s attacking style.

Also Read: Match 22: Auckland Hearts Women vs Central Hinds Women | Squads, Players to Watch, Live Streaming Details

Emma Black

Emma has been nothing short of sensational for the Otago Sparks, leading their pace attack with great skill. She has picked up 12 wickets so far in the tournament with best bowling figures of 4 for 37, often striking early to put the opposition on the back foot. Her opening spells were a major reason the Sparks remained at the top of the table for most of the summer.

Jess Kerr

The experienced White Ferns seamer has once again shown her class for the Wellington Blaze this year. Jess has picked up 14 wickets at an impressive average of 12.07 and an economy rate of 3.17, including a match-winning 4/17 against the Central Hinds and best bowling figures of 7 for 18 the best in the competition so far. Her ability to swing the ball both ways remains her greatest weapon, making her the most feared bowler in the competition.

Pitch:

It promises to be an engaging pitch, offering immense pace, bounce, and seam movement. After the early overs are negotiated, it flattens out into one of the best batting surfaces in the country. It is famous for the turnaround later in the day where big runs are common.

Weather:

The wind—often a gusty North-Westerly—is a tactical player itself; bowlers enjoy bowling with the wind behind them to gain extra pace, while batting into a gale can be mentally exhausting. Temperatures are a crisp 19°C with significant wind speeds of around 30-40 km/h.

Fantasy Playing XI:

Polly Inglis, Emma Black, Caitlin Blakely, Louisa Kotkamp, Saffron Wilson, Rebecca Burns, Xara Jetley, Jess Kerr, Georgia Plimmer, Jess Simmons, Rachel Bryant

Also Read: Caitlin Gurrey's 99 and Kayley Knight's 4-Fer Helps Northern District to Table-Topping Win