Wellington Blaze and Central Hinds will go head-to-head in the Final of the ongoing 12th edition of the Twenty20 (T20) Women’s Super Smash. The game will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on the 28th of January, 2024, at 5:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Wellington Blaze – Amelia Kerr (C), Leigh Kasperek (VC), Nicole Baird, Rebecca Burns, Kate Chandler, Natasha Codyre, Sophie Devine, Jess Kerr, Caitlin King, Jess Mcfadyen, Georgia Plimmer, Monique Rees, Xara Jetly
Central Hinds – Natalie Dodd (C, WK), Hollie Armitage, Georgia Atkinson, Priyanaz Chatterji, Flora Devonshire, Claudia Green, Mikaela Greig, Ashtuti Kumar, Emma Mcleod, Rosemary Mair, Thamsyn Newton, Hannah Rowe
Players to watch out:
Sophie Devine –
The 34-year-old all-rounder in T20 Internationals (T20Is), from 124 outings, has amassed 3107 runs at a strike rate of 121.79 and taken 113 wickets from 110 innings, registering respective bests of 105 and 4/22. Sophie opted out of the majority of the ’23 Smash season and returned in the side’s previous game, registering figures of 11 and 1/3. She can be relied upon for the goods.
Amelia Kerr –
The 23-year-old all-rounder, from 9 Smash appearances this season, has amassed 402 runs, averaging 80.40 and striking at 128.84, while also scalping 20 wickets, averaging 8.25 and maintaining an economy rate of 4/58. These numbers speak volumes of the form Amelia is in, and it’ll be expected of her to carry forward this momentum into the Final, stepping up for the team.
Hollie Armitage –
The 26-year-old batter, striking at 120.73, has accumulated 297 runs, averaging 33.00, from 9 outings this summer. In the lead-up to the eliminator, Hollie registered successive scores of 47, 33, and 38, and followed up with a match-winning 78 in her most recent outing. She is the only in-form batter on the side, and the team will count on her to yet again lead the scoring in this Final.
Hannah Rowe –
The 27-year-old all-rounder has been exceptional this Smash season, posting 172 runs on the board from 9 outings, while also bagging 8 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 6.57. Hannah in the eliminator chipped in with an unbeaten 19 and returned figures of 1/12, and it’ll be hoped she replicates the same success, capitalizing on this form, in the Final.
Pitch:
With an average score in the 130s, the 22 yards at Eden Park make up a well-balanced pitch that offers a fair contest between bat and ball. While batters find delight in the wicket, bowlers, particularly pacers hold the upper hand.
Weather:
The rain on the radar throughout the match duration could play spoilsport, potentially resulting in a washout, if the skies don’t clear. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 23°C, with light winds and a humidity level of 94%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Jess Mcfadyen, Georgia Plimmer, Hollie Armitage, Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, Leigh Kasperek, Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Claudia Green, Xara Jetly
Match details:
Date – January 28, 2024
Time – 5:00 AM IST
Venue – Eden Park, Auckland
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.