As the Women’s Super Smash 2025-26 strides into its opening rounds, all eyes turn to the Basin Reserve in Wellington, where the 4th Match of the season sees Wellington Blaze host Auckland Hearts in what promises to be an intriguing clash of contrasting ambitions and traditions. This encounter is more than just a game; it’s a chance for both teams to stamp early authority in a competition that demands quick starts and fearless cricket, especially under the sunny skies of late-December in New Zealand.
Squads:
Wellington Blaze Women’s Cricket Team
Natasha Codyre, Rebecca Burns, Hannah Francis, I McKenzie, Rachel Bryant, Xara Jetly, Gemma Sims, Jessica McFadyen, Sam Mackinder, Jessica Simmons, Nicole Baird
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
Players to watch out:
Rebecca Burns
Rebecca Burns has had an impressive run in last season’s Super Smash. She finished the 2024-25 season as one of Wellington’s standout players, scoring 69 off just 41 balls, displaying a remarkable strike rate well over 160. It’s the kind of explosive performance that can disrupt opposing bowling plans, whether during the powerplay or while chasing a target. Over the course of 12 innings, she accumulated 269 runs with an average of 26.90 and a strike rate of 113.02.
Xara Jetly
As a right-arm off-spinner, Xara Jetly combines skill with control, finishing the last Super Smash season with an impressive wicket tally. She took 8 wickets in 10 matches, averaging 25.87 and maintaining an economy rate of 6.67. Her ability to claim key wickets at pivotal moments earned her the Player of the Match title on several occasions, with standout performances like 3 for 25 against Central Districts Women.
Lauren Down
Lauren Down approaches her batting with a calmness that can be hard to find in the high-pressure world of T20 cricket. Last season, she was one of Auckland’s most reliable run-scorers, finishing among the top contributors in the Super Smash competition with a total of 304 runs, averaging an impressive 76.00 and striking at over 108. These numbers not only reflect her technical skill but also her intent at the crease.
Josie Penfold
Josie Penfold may not always headline the statistics, but her importance lies in the unsung contributions she makes. As an all-rounder, Penfold adds vital depth to Auckland’s bowling attack with her seam bowling and sporadically provides critical runs in the lower order. Last season, she took 8 wickets in 10 matches, with her best figures being 2/23.
Pitch:
The Basin Reserve in Wellington is known for its balanced pitch, which offers early assistance to seamers, particularly in the first few overs. Batters who can successfully navigate this challenging start are often rewarded, as the pitch tends to settle into a more consistent batting surface with good bounce, facilitating stroke-play during the middle overs.
Weather:
We can anticipate partly cloudy to sunny skies and temperatures around 18–19 °C (64–66°F). While it should remain pleasant during the daytime, there’s a chance of showers later in the night as cloud cover increases and humidity rises.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Natasha Codyre, Rebecca Burns, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Prue Catton, Brooke Halliday, Jessica McFadyen, Sam Mackinder, Molly Penfold, Olivia Anderson, Nicole Baird
Match details:
Date – December 29, 2025
Time – 5:10 AM IST
Venue – Basin Reserve, Wellington
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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