Otago Sparks and Wellington Blaze will lock horns in match no. 7 of the ongoing 12th edition of the Twenty20 (T20) Women’s Super Smash. The match will be played on the 28th of December, 2023, at Molyneux Park, New Zealand, at 5:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Otago Sparks – Suzie Bates (C), Emma Black, Caitlin Blakely, Eden Carson, Olivia Gain, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Hayley Jensen, Sophie Oldershaw, Felicity Robertson, Linsey Smith, Poppy Jay Watkins
Wellington Blaze – Melie Kerr (C), Leigh Kasperek, Nicole Baird, Rebecca Burns, Kate Chandler, Natasha Codyre, Jess Kerr, Caitlin King, Jess Mcfadyen, Georgia Plimmer, Gemma Sims, Xara Jetly
Players to watch out:
Felicity Robertson
The 29-year-old all-rounder kicked off her ’23/24 summer season with 158 runs and 5 wickets from as many Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HJS) outings. Felicity hasn’t continued the momentum, departing on scores of 24 and 15 in the Smash. It’s hoped she capitalizes on these scores and regains her mojo.
Poppy Jay Watkins
The 23-year-old all-rounder managed the best of 29 in the recently concluded 1st leg of HJS, a 50-over domestic competition, and only a wicket in 5 innings. However, she has impressed in the Super Smash, producing figures of 4/28 on debut and followed up with figures of 2/9. The team will bank on her for the goods.
Rebecca Burns
The 29-year-old batter has had a decent run this summer, registering a string of starts with successive scores of 25, 20, and 32 in the 1st leg of HJS fixtures. Rebecca, in her first Smash outing this summer, again fell after a start, departing for 20. It’ll be expected of the seasoned campaigner to build on this start.
Melie Kerr
The 23-year-old all-rounder in T20Is, in 49 outings, striking at 110.58, has amassed 909 runs and taken 64 wickets from 65 outings. Melie has been in outstanding form with the bat; however, in the Smash opener, she departed for 7, while with the ball, returned figures of 2/17. She’ll be relied upon to lead the charts.
Pitch:
The wicket at Molyneux Park provides a certain degree of assistance to the batters. Although it is a batting-friendly surface, the average score at the venue remains in the 140s, indicating the assistance for bowlers, particularly the pacers to exploit.
Weather:
The conditions at Molyneux Park are expected to be pleasant for cricket, with no anticipated rain interruptions despite cloudy skies. The temperature will be around 24°C, with light winds and humidity at 85%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Jess Mcfadyen, Polly Inglis, Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Melie Kerr, Leigh Kasperek, Felicity Robertson, Emma Black, Jess Kerr, Eden Carson, Poppy Jay Watkins
Match details:
Date – December 28, 2023
Time – 5:00 AM IST
Venue – Molyneux Park, Alexandra
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on FanCode and the New Zealand Cricket YouTube channel.
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