Otago Sparks are gearing up for a fiery start to their Women’s Super Smash 2025-26 campaign as they host Canterbury Magicians in Match 3 at the University Oval on December 28. With Otago’s home fires burning bright and Canterbury’s road warriors eyeing an early statement, Match 3 shapes as the perfect Super Smash curtain-raiser.
Squads:
Otago Sparks Women’s Cricket Team
Polly Inglis, Emma Black, Caitlin Blakely, Anna Browning, Chloe Deerness, Eva Gray, Laura Harris, Bella James, Louisa Kotkamp, Felicity Robertson, Anika Todd, PJ Watkins
Canterbury Magicians Women’s Cricket Team
Lea Tahuhu, Kate Anderson, Sarah Asmussen, Missy Banks, Kate Chandler, Nat Cox, Jodie Dean, Abigale Gerken, Abigail Hotton, Kate Irwin, Izzy Sharp, Gabby Sullivan
Players to watch out:
Caitlin Blakely
Caitlin Blakely was a standout for Otago Sparks, finishing the 2024-25 season as her side’s leading run-scorer with 219 runs. She maintained a solid average of 27.37 across 11 innings and proved her ability to anchor an innings in high-pressure situations. Her most memorable performance was an unbeaten half-century (52* off 45 balls) against the eventual champions, the Wellington Blaze, on January 14, 2025.
Kate Anderson
Representing Canterbury Magicians, Kate Anderson has cemented her reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous top-order batters. She ended the campaign as the fourth-highest run-scorer of the entire tournament, amassing 294 runs at an impressive average of 32.66. Her season was highlighted by a brilliant unbeaten 75* from just 54 deliveries against Auckland Hearts, guiding her team to a crucial victory.
Missy Banks
A core member of the Canterbury Magicians bowling attack, Melissa Banks continued to be a reliable threat with the ball. While she contributed lower-order runs, including a gritty 17* in a late-season match against Northern Brave, her primary impact came through her disciplined medium-pace bowling. Throughout the season, she provided critical breakthroughs, such as her 2/40 spell against the Auckland Hearts, often bowling during high-pressure phases of the game.
Laura Harris
If you need raw power, Harris is the player to watch. Her stats across the WBBL, WCPL, and The Women’s Hundred highlight a batter who prioritizes scoring fast over staying in. With an incredible strike rate of 195.55 in the WCPL and over 1,300 runs in the WBBL, she is a proven finisher. Her 64 sixes in the Big Bash alone underscore her reputation as one of the most dangerous boundary-hitters in the game.
Pitch:
Molyneux Park in Alexandra offers a pace-friendly pitch that assists fast bowlers, particularly in the early overs. The surface has hosted various T20 matches with an average first innings score around 166, where teams batting first aim for totals above 170, though chasing sides have won more often (9 out of 14 matches).
Weather:
The weather in Alexandra forecasts daytime highs around 17°C (63°F) with lows near 4-8°C (40-46°F). Humidity levels stay moderate at 30-70%, supporting uninterrupted play without significant rain risk.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Polly Inglis, Emma Black, Caitlin Blakely, Eva Gray, Laura Harris, Louisa Kotkamp, Lea Tahuhu, Kate Anderson, Missy Banks, Nat Cox, Gabby Sullivan
Match Details:
Date – December 28, 2025
Time – 5:10 AM IST
Venue – Molyneux Park, Alexandra
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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