The third and last game of the North vs. South Women’s One-Day Series will take place at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln on April 1, 2025, starting at 2:30 AM IST, and will pit North Island Women against South Island Women. With a 2-0 lead after winning the first game by 6 runs and the second by a commanding 7-wicket margin, North Island Women have already guaranteed the series.
In the last match, North easily achieved 282/3 in 42.1 overs, powered by Jess Watkin (115* off 122) and Maddy Green (109* off 59). Despite strong contributions from Bella James (64 off 61) and Hayley Jensen (59 off 53), South Island Women were unable to defend their 280/8 total. Another closely contested match is anticipated, with South hoping for a revenge victory.
Squads:
North Women
Maddy Green (C), Ocean Bartlett, Flora Devonshire, Kate Gaging, Amie Hucker, Bree Illing, Jess Kerr, Emma McLeod, Nensi Patel, Josie Penfold, Hannah Rowe, Saachi Shahri, Jess Watkin, Eve Wolland
South Women
Hayley Jensen (C), Sarah Asmussen, Missy Banks, Emma Black, Caitlin Blakely, Anna Browning, Eden Carson, Olivia Gain, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Louisa Kotkamp, Izzy Sharp, Jess Simmons, Poppy Jay Watkins
Players to watch out:
Jess Watkin
The 26-year-old power hitter and proficient off-spinner demonstrated her ability to dominate with the bat in the most recent game with a match-winning 115*. She makes important breakthroughs with her off-spin. In the 2024-25 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HJS), New Zealand’s One Day competition, Watkin accumulated 229 runs from 10 outings and also struck 10 wickets.
Jess Kerr
The 27-year-old pace bowling all-rounder makes significant contributions with both bat and ball. She can provide useful lower order runs and returned figures of 4/41 in the last game. In the 2024-25 HJS, she was amongst the most successful players amassing 305 runs from 10 outings, at an average of 33.88, and scalped 16 wickets, at an economy rate of 3.46.
Bella James
The 26-year-old keeper-batter in the most recent game demonstrated her dependability as a dependable middle-order batter scoring a mature 61-ball 64. James has also enjoyed a breakthrough HJS season, racking up 332 runs, at an average of 47.42, from 9 outings, and notched up the highest of 101*.
Eden Carson
The 23-year-old off-spinner is crucial for South Island with her ability to provide significant breakthroughs in the middle overs and control the scoring rate. Carson was a standout again this summer, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the HJS, with 22 scalps from 11 games, averaging 17.27 and maintaining an economy rate of 3.80.
Pitch:
Lincoln’s Bert Sutcliffe Oval has a reputation for having a balanced pitch that helps bowlers and batters evenly. At this venue, teams batting second average 229 runs, whereas the average score in the first innings is 252. Although pacers have been successful, as the game goes on, spinners too get help.
Weather:
Lincoln is predicted to experience cold, cloudy weather with highs of about 3°C. With a high humidity of 84%, swing bowlers may benefit early in the innings. With a zero percent chance of moisture, rain is unlikely.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Jess Watkin, Maddy Green, Bella James, Hayley Jensen, Jess Kerr, Eden Carson, Ocean Bartlett, Hannah Rowe, Polly Inglis, Missy Banks, Emma Black
Match details:
Date – April 1, 2025
Time – 2:30 AM IST
Venue – Bert Sutcliff Oval, Lincoln
Broadcast – Fans can catch the live stream on NZC’s YouTube channel with live scoring available on nzc.nz and the NZC App.
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