Central Hinds Women head into Match 2 of the Women’s Super Smash 2025-26 desperate to loosen Wellington Women’s grip on this rivalry, with the Blaze having dominated their clashes in recent seasons. The contest at Fitzherbert Park should be an early marker for both teams’ campaigns: the Hinds are trying to turn steady improvement into results, while Wellington arrives with the confidence of a side that knows how to win big games and tight finishes alike.
Squads:
Central Hinds Women’s Cricket Team
Hannah Rowe, Lizzy Cohr, Flora Devonshire, Kate Gaging, Claudia Green, Ashtuti Kumar, Emma McLeod, Rosemary Mair, Cate Pedersen, Grace Scrivens, Bryony Smith, Kerry
Wellington Blaze Women’s Cricket Team
Gemma Sims, Natasha Codyre, Rebecca Burns, Hannah Francis, Isla McKenzie, Rachel Bryant, Jessica McFadyen, Sam Mackinder, Jessica Simmons, Nicole Baird, Xara Jetly
Players to watch out:
Emma McLeod
Emma McLeod has had a promising start to her T20I career, accumulating 59 runs across 3 innings since her debut against Sri Lanka in March 2025. She has maintained a batting average of 19.66 and an aggressive strike rate of 92.18, highlighted by a top score of 44. Her ability to find the boundary is evident from her 4 fours hit during her brief international career so far.
Rebecca Burns
Rebecca Burns has represented the White Ferns in 2 T20I matches, making her debut against Bangladesh in December 2022. She has scored a total of 20 runs with the highest individual score of 20. Operating at a strike rate of 86.95, she has contributed 3 fours to the team’s total during her appearances at the crease.
Cate Pedersen
Cate Pedersen is a recognized right-handed batter and right-arm medium bowler for domestic teams such as Auckland Hearts and Central Hinds. Her T20 career remains in its early stages and is a key asset for her side going ahead into the tournament.
Gemma Sims
Gemma Sims is a right-handed batter who has represented both the Central Hinds and Wellington Blaze. She is a right-handed batter and is one of the vital cogs for her side going ahead into the tournament.
Pitch:
The pitch at Fitzherbert Park is traditionally a balanced surface that offers initial assistance to seamers before flattening out into a high-scoring ground for batters. However, as the day progresses, the wicket tends to slow down significantly, making spin bowlers particularly effective.
Weather:
The conditions in Palmerston North will see a high of 18°C with a mixture of sun and clouds throughout the day. While there is a 35% chance of light rain during the morning, expect it to clear up by afternoon.
Match Details:
Date – December 27, 2025
Time – 5:10 AM IST
Venue – Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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