The 2025/26 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HJS) Final on February 21 brings together two sides that have operated on completely different planes of motivation this summer. Northern Brave, a team that has been nothing short of a juggernaut. They stormed to the top of the table with eight wins and five bonus points, looking almost invincible since their solitary loss back in November. On the other side, Wellington Blaze, a domestic powerhouse that breathes championship air. While they finished ten points behind Northern in the regular season, the Blaze carry the psychological weight of multiple titles and the comfort of playing in their own backyard.
Squads:
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, Skye Bowden, Yaz Kareem
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:
Caitlin Gurrey
Caitlin Gurrey has been the batting powerhouse for Northern Brave this season, currently sitting as the second-highest run-scorer in the competition with 479 runs at an impressive average of 47.90. She narrowly missed out on a century against Auckland Hearts, dismissed for a brilliant 99 off 98 balls in a performance that included 11 boundaries. Her ability to find the ropes is unmatched this summer, having already hit 44 fours and 3 sixes, proving why she is the anchor of the Brave’s top order.
Jess Kerr
Jess Kerr wrote herself into the record books this December with a historic bowling spell against Canterbury Magicians in Rangiora. She claimed staggering figures of 7/18 off 8.3 overs, which not only set a new Wellington Blaze record but also equaled the best-ever bowling figures in the history of the national one-day competition. Beyond her threat with the ball, she has also contributed 274 runs this season, including a composed 41 in that same record-breaking match to guide her team to a 4-wicket victory.
Jess Watkin
The captain has consistently stifled opponents in the middle overs, maintaining a clinical economy rate of 3.63 and an average of 16.37 across her campaign. Her standout performance came against Canterbury Magicians, where she claimed a match-winning 3 for 34 from her 10 overs, including the crucial wicket of Izzy Sharp to break a dangerous partnership. By combining these three-wicket hauls with a relentless ability to build pressure, Watkin has accounted for 16 wickets so far, proving herself as the tactical heartbeat of the Brave’s defense.
Xara Jetly
Xara Jetly has enjoyed a breakout 2025/26 season as Wellington Blaze’s leading spin weapon, highlighted by her maiden six-wicket haul. She tore through Central Hinds’ lineup in Palmerston North to finish with career-best figures of 6/39, which at the time was the second-best bowling performance in Blaze history. She has an economy rate of 4.42 and with 18 wickets to her name, she has become the most reliable middle-overs operator for the Wellington side heading into the final.
Pitch:
The Basin Reserve pitch typically offers significant seam movement and swing during the first session, making the toss crucial for captains who often prefer to bowl first. However, the surface does flatten out considerably as the match progresses, once the initial grass and moisture wear off.
Weather:
The day will remain cool and overcast with a humidity level of 68% and a UV index of 6. As evening approaches, conditions will shift to partly cloudy with the temperature dipping to a low of 14°C, while the chance of rain remains minimal at 10%.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Tash Wakelin, Jess Watkin, Caitlin Gurrey, Kayley Knight, Lucy Boucher, Marama Downes, Maitlan Brown, Rebecca Burns, Xara Jetley, Jess Kerr, Georgia Plimmer
Match Details:
Date – February 21, 2026
Time – 3:00 AM IST
Venue – Basin Reserve, Wellington
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on New Zealand Cricket YouTube channel.
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