While Northern Brave might have set the pace in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 2025-26, Wellington Blaze’s road to the final has been a classic display of tournament grit and big-game temperament. Finishing second with six wins from ten matches, the Blaze have once again proven why they are the most storied side in New Zealand domestic cricket. Their campaign was defined by a shaky middle period, but they rediscovered their clinical edge just in time to secure a home final at the Cello Basin Reserve on Saturday.
The season actually started on a high for the Blaze in Whangārei. On a rain-affected opening day in November, Natasha Codyre’s 4/28 tore through Northern Brave’s lineup, leading to a comfortable eight-wicket win. However, the very next day served as a reality check; the Blaze were bundled out for a mere 78. That early inconsistency haunted them through late November and December, as they traded dominant wins—like Rebecca Burns’ 87 against the Central Hinds—with frustrating losses where the batting order occasionally stuttered under pressure.
As the calendar turned to February, the Blaze DNA began to surface. While several stars were away on international or franchise duties, the squad’s depth became their greatest asset. Xara Jetly emerged as a genuine match-winner, highlighted by a spectacular 6/39 against Central Hinds that turned a potentially tight chase into a rout. During this stretch, the emergence of young talent like Hannah Francis, who provided crucial breakthroughs in the powerplay, ensured the Blaze remained in the top two hunt even when they weren’t at full strength.
The most dramatic moment of their journey came in a heart-stopping two-run victory over Otago Sparks in early February. Defending 219, the Blaze looked down and out before Jess Kerr and Hannah Francis combined for a bowling masterclass in the death overs. That win didn’t just provide four points; it provided the psychological boost the team needed. It proved they could win ugly, a trait that separates finalists from the rest of the pack in a long one-day season.
Heading into the final, the Blaze are arguably the most dangerous they’ve been all summer thanks to the return of their heavy hitters. Amelia Kerr’s return from the WPL in India has been a game changer, underscored by her masterclass 128 against Auckland Hearts in the final round. With Georgia Plimmer finding her groove as captain and Rebecca Burns providing the explosive starts, the Blaze batting lineup finally looks settled. On the bowling front, the spin duo of Xara Jetly and Leigh Kasperek remains the most economical and threatening pairing in the competition.
What makes this final particularly special for Wellington is the venue. They are the queens of the Basin Reserve, a ground where they have celebrated more trophies than any other provincial side. After clinching another Super Smash title just weeks ago, the double is firmly in their sights. They started the season by giving Northern Districts their only loss of the campaign, and they’ll be leaning on that memory—and their home crowd—to ensure the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield stays in the capital.
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