The 20th match of the Women’s Super Smash will be played between Central Hinds and Otago Sparks on January 21 at Saxton Oval in Nelson. The game will begin at 3.30 AM IST (11 AM LOCAL).
Both teams will play their seventh game of the tournament. While Central Hinds have lost all their previous six encounters, Otago Sparks have won two and lost three, with one match not producing a result.
Squads
Central Hinds: Natalie Dodd (wk), Kate Gaging, Kerry-Anne Tomlinson, Emily Cunningham, Gemma Sims, Cate Pedersen, Hannah Rowe, Jess Watkin (c), Mikaela Greig, Georgia Atkinson, Ocean Bartlett, Claudia Green, Rosemary Mair, Melissa Hansen, Monique Rees, Ashtuti Kumar, Anna Gaging
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
Hannah Rowe:
The right-arm speedster of Central Hinds was the most successful bowler for her side in the last match against Auckland Hearts. Coming into bowl as the first change, she accounted for 6/2 in four overs, including two maidens. She was the most economical bowler. She also packed a punch with an undefeated 19 off 10, hitting one boundary and a six.
Kerry-Anne Tomlinson:
The right-handed middle-order batter of Central Hinds top-scored in the last game against Auckland Hearts. She mustered 40 off 38, including four boundaries and a six. She shared a 60-run stand with Natalie Dodd for the third wicket.
Suzie Bates:
The captain of Otago Sparks starred with the bat in the last fixture against Wellington Blaze. The right-handed opening batter muscled 75 off 56, including eight boundaries and a six. She also bowled a couple of overs of right-arm seam, conceding 12 runs.
Kate Ebrahim:
The dashing all-rounder of Otago Sparks was one of the two wicket-takers for her side in her last appearance against Wellington Blaze. The right-arm medium pacer scalped 20/1 in three overs. She also scored 16 off 20, batting at number five.
Pitch
It will be the first and only tournament game to be played at the venue. It has hosted four women’s T20Is between 2010 and 2016. The teams batting first and second have won two each. The average first innings score is 110, and the average second innings score is 105. Expect a new surface that could yield plenty of runs. However, cloudy conditions could assist the fast bowlers. Also, a high chance of rain could play a spoilsport.
Weather
The weather is expected to be mostly cloudy with a bit of rain. The maximum temperature attained during the day will be 23 degrees Celsius. There will be a 76 percent cloud cover and an 80 percent chance of rain. The wind will blow from the north-northeast.
Fantasy Playing XI
Natalie Dodd, Suzie Bates, Mikaela Greig, Kerry-Anne Tomlinson, Hannah Rowe, Kate Ebrahim, Jess Watkin, Claudia Green, Georgia Atkinson, Emma Black, Hayley Jensen
Match details
Date: January 21, 2023
Time: 3.30 AM IST (11 AM LOCAL)
Venue: Saxton Oval, Nelson
Live streaming: Fan Code
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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.