The 13th match of the Women’s Super Smash will be played between Northern Brave and Otago Sparks on January 6 at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The game will begin at 11.20 AM IST (6.50 PM LOCAL).
Both teams will play their fifth game of the tournament. While Northern Brave won one and lost three, Otago Sparks won two and lost as many. These two teams played against each other on December 28, and Otago Sparks defeated Northern Brave by 20 runs.
Squads
Northern Brave: Bernadine Bezuidenhout (Wk), Caitlin Gurrey, Carol Agafili, Sam Barriball, Yasmeen Kareem, Brooke Halliday, Eimear Richardson (c), Lucy Boucher, Nensi Patel, Tash Wakelin, Holly Topp (Wk), Amanda-Jade Wellington, Charlotte Sarsfield, Emma Baker, Eve Wolland, Kayley Knight, Lauren Heaps, Marama Downes, Marina Lamplough, Phoebe Graham, Shriya Naidu
Otago Sparks: Bella James, Felicity Leydon-Davis, Olivia Gain, Paige Loggenberg, Saffron Wilson, Suzie Bates, Caitlin Blakely, Gemma Adams, Kate Ebrahim, Jordan Meltzer (Wk), Polly Inglis (Wk), Sophie Gray (Wk), Chloe Deerness, Eden Carson, Emma Black, Hayley Jensen, Molly Loe, Sophie Oldershaw
Players to Watch
Nensi Patel:
The right-arm speedster of Northern Brave was the most successful bowler in her last outing against Wellington Blaze. She opened the bowling with Shriya Naidu and claimed 28/3 in four overs. Besides bowling well with the new ball, she was effective in the middle phase of the innings.
Marina Lamplough:
The talented all-rounder of Northern Brave was impressive with both bat and ball in the last game against Wellington Blaze. The right-handed batter, coming into bat at number eight, top-scored with 32 off 37, including three boundaries. With the ball, the right-arm seamer bagged 31/2 in four overs.
Suzie Bates:
The captain and right-handed opening batter of Otago Sparks muscled a power-packed 76 off 59 in the last fixture against Auckland Hearts. The prolific batter peppered the boundary rope eight times. She stitched a 127-run partnership with Kate Ebrahim for the third wicket. She also bowled a couple of overs, giving away 11 runs.
Kate Ebrahim:
The star all-rounder of Otago Sparks had a brilliant outing with bat and ball in her last appearance against Auckland Hearts. Batting at number four, the right-hander mustered an unbeaten 45 off as many balls, including one four and one six. She also accounted for 15/3 in three overs, bowling right-arm seam.
Pitch
It will be the first game of the tournament at the venue. Expect a fresh surface that will offer plenty of runs. However, a high chance of rain could play a spoilsport. Also, a thick cloud cover could assist the fast bowlers. If there is a complete game of cricket, an exciting contest between bat and ball could be on the cards.
Weather
The weather is expected to see a thick cloud cover. It will be breezy and humid with occasional rain and a thunderstorm. The maximum temperature attained during the day will be 21 degrees Celsius. There will be a 98 percent cloud cover and a 92 percent chance of rain. The wind will blow from the east-northeast.
Fantasy Playing XI
Polly Inglis, Sam Barriball, Suzie Bates, Caitlin Gurrey, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Kate Ebrahim, Nensi Patel, Caitlin Blakely, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Emma Black, Marina Lamplough
Match details
Date: January 6, 2023
Time: 11.20 AM IST (6.50 PM LOCAL)
Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton
Live streaming: Fan Code
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.