The first night showdown of the Women’s Super Smash 2025-26 season illuminates Seddon Park in Hamilton on December 26, as Northern Brave Women lock horns with Auckland Hearts Women in the first encounter of the season. The pinnacle of T20 domestic cricket in New Zealand being back, all teams are clearly itching to stamp their authority right at the start of this tournament, which has witnessed aggressive batting and big scores in the past.
In the opening encounter Auckland Hearts come with plenty of experience, while Northern Districts will bank on youth as they look at various all-rounders. As far as Hamilton is concerned, one can certainly look forward to a high scoring match as this venue is known to produce exciting battles.
Squads:
Auckland Hearts Women’s Cricket Team
Bella Armstrong, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Prue Catton, Ayaan Lambat, Brooke Halliday, Josie Penfold, Elizabeth Buchanan, Amie Hucker, Bree Illing, Molly Penfold, Olivia Anderson
Northern Brave Women’s Cricket Team
Caitlin Gurrey, Eve Wolland, Yasmeen Kareem, Carol Agafili, Jess Watkin, Marina Lamplough, Tash Wakelin, Holly Topp, Kayley Knight, Marama Downes, Nensi Patel, Skye Bowden
Players to watch out:
Maddy Green
A seasoned campaigner, the 33-year-old right-hand batter and off-spin option brings invaluable leadership. With 1,193 runs in 103 T20Is at a strike rate of 115, Green’s ability to control the middle overs and chip in with the ball makes her Auckland’s backbone on batting friendly tracks.
Brooke Halliday
A reliable all-rounder, Halliday’s left-hand batting adds balance to the lineup. In 47 matches, she has scored 442 runs (Strike Rate 97) and she has also taken 8 wickets, with best bowling figures of 2/11, making her a crucial contributor in both departments.
Jess Watkin
The 27-year-old is one of the most exciting all-rounders in New Zealand cricket. She has already featured in 9 T20Is, scoring 118 runs at a strike rate of 157, while also claiming 7 wickets, including the best of 3/9. She can prove to be a game changer against Auckland.
Yasmeen Kareem
The 26-year-old left-hand batter and right-arm medium pacer comes in with solid recent form from the One Day competition. Her latest scores of 17, 20, 11, 36, and 23 highlight consistency and adaptability, qualities vital in the batting order.
Pitch:
Seddon Park, Hamilton, is widely regarded as a batting friendly venue, offering flat surfaces and short boundaries that encourage stroke play. While bowlers can find movement early and occasional variable bounce, especially with the new ball, high scoring encounters are common in limited overs cricket here.
Weather:
Conditions look ideal for cricket: minimum 13°C, maximum 25°C, 65% humidity, 9% chance of precipitation, and winds at 18 km/h. No major weather interruptions are expected, ensuring a full, fast paced contest.
Match Details:
Date – December 26, 2025
Time – 10:50 AM IST
Venue – Seddon Park, Hamilton
Broadcast – All games will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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