The 21st match of the Women’s Super Smash will be played between Auckland Hearts and Northern Brave on January 22 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The game will begin at 10 AM IST (5.30 PM LOCAL).
While Auckland Hearts will play their eighth game of the tournament, Northern Brave will feature in their seventh. Auckland Hearts have won three and lost four. On the other hand, Northern Brave have won one and lost four, with one match failing to produce a result.
Squads
Auckland Hearts: Izzy Gaze (Wk), Sarah Carnachan (Wk), Katie Perkins, Lauren Down (c), Saachi Shahri, Prue Catton, Skye Bowden, Emma Irwin, Makayla Templeton, Holly Huddleston, Bella Armstrong, Anna Browning, Sydney Bultitude, Molly Penfold, Arlene Kelly, Fran Jonas, Josie Penfold, Amie Hucker, Amberly Parr-Thompson, Bree Illing
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
Players to Watch
Makayla Templeton:
The wily right-arm leg-spinner of Auckland Hearts was the pick of the bowlers for her side in the last match against Wellington Blaze. She accounted for 20/2 in four overs and was the most economical bowler. She was effective in the middle and death overs.
Saachi Shahri:
The right-handed opening batter of Auckland Hearts top-scored in the last game against Wellington Blaze. She muscled 39 off 36, including half a dozen boundaries. She held the innings together and was there till the 14th over.
Bernadine Bezuidenhout:
The wicket-keeper and right-handed opening batter of Northern Brave starred with the bat in the last fixture against Canterbury Magicians. She smashed 30 off 23, finding the fence five times in her fighting innings. She will be expected to provide a steady start to her team with the bat.
Nensi Patel:
The right-arm medium-pace bowler of Northern Brave was the most successful bowler for her side in her last appearance against Canterbury Magicians. She opened the bowling with Shriya Naidu and scalped 8/2 in four overs, including one maiden. She was also the most economical bowler.
Pitch
It will be the second and final game of the tournament to be played at the venue. The previous match was played on December 23. 278 runs were scored, and 16 wickets fell in that fixture. Though the surface looks good for batting, a thick cloud cover could assist the fast bowlers, making it difficult for the batters to score freely. A high chance of rain will make the toss important. The captain winning the toss may look to bowl first.
Weather
The weather is expected to be mostly cloudy with occasional rain and drizzle in the morning, followed by a shower in spots in the afternoon. The maximum temperature attained during the day will be 24 degrees Celsius. There will be a 75 percent cloud cover and an 86 percent chance of rain. The wind will blow from the northwest.
Fantasy Playing XI
Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Saachi Shahri, Lauren Down, Caitlin Gurrey, Katie Perkins, Nensi Patel, Bella Armstrong, Holly Huddleston, Lucy Boucher, Makayla Templeton, Molly Penfold
Match details
Date: January 22, 2023
Time: 10 AM IST (5.30 PM LOCAL)
Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
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.