For match no. 12 of the ongoing 12th edition of the Twenty20 (T20) Women’s Super Smash, Otago Sparks and Canterbury Magicians will lock horns at the Molyneux Park, New Zealand, on the 3rd of January, 2023, 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, Molly Loe, Sophie Oldershaw, Felicity Robertson, Linsey Smith, Poppy Jay Watkins
Canterbury Magicians – Frankie Mackay (C), Kate Anderson, Sarah Asmussen, Missy Banks, Nat Cox, Jodie Dean, Laura Hughes, Sophie Molineux, Fatima Sana, Izzy Sharp, Gabby Sullivan, Lea Tahuhu
Players to watch out:
Suzie Bates
The 36-year-old all-rounder in T20Is, in 149 outings, has amassed 4118 runs, including the highest of 124*, and has also scalped 56 wickets. Suzie has looked in fine form thus far and capitalized on her starts of 25 and 23, registering significant scores of 70 and 84* in her previous couple of outings. It’ll be expected of the veteran batter to make the most of this start.
Linsey Smith
The 28-year-old off-spinner picked up 13 wickets from 9 innings in the Charlotte Edwards’ Cup, England’s T20 competition, and had a decent Bash season in Australia. Linsey, in her first couple of Smash outings, has returned figures of 1/32 and 1/33. It’ll be hoped that the seasoned campaigner continues this form and gets back to her economical and wicket-taking best.
Frankie Mackay
The 33-year-old all-rounder, in T20Is, has accumulated 332 runs from 22 outings and taken 25 wickets from 28 outings, with respective bests of 51 and 3/18. Frankie has had a stellar campaign thus far, contributing both with bat and ball, adding 42 runs to the tally from 2 innings while also bagging 4 wickets from 3 innings. She’ll be relied upon for the goods.
Sophie Molineux
The 25-year-old left-arm off-spinner has taken 26 wickets from 27 matches, with the best figures being 4/16, and has chipped in scoring 47 runs from 7 innings. Fresh off a six-fer and a 62, Sophie has been the latest overseas addition to the competition. She hasn’t played a lot of T20 cricket lately, due to an injury and will be closely watched in this tournament.
Pitch:
The Molyneux Park offers a neutral wicket that pleases both batters and bowlers, pacers in particular. Any score in the 140s should be considered a competitive total on this wicket.
Weather:
The conditions are ideal for a game of cricket at the Molyneux Park with mostly cloudy skies, the temperature expected to hover around 23°C, light winds and humidity of 87%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Polly Inglis, Bella James, Suzie Bates, Kate Anderson, Caitlin Blakely, Frankie Mackay, Felicity Robertson, Emma Black, Fatima Sana, Gabby Sullivan, Poppy Jay Watkins
Match details:
Date – January 3, 2024
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.