Canterbury Magicians and Auckland Hearts enter Match 15 of the Women’s Super Smash 2025-26 at opposite ends of the momentum spectrum. Auckland sits 5th on the table with 10 points from four games, recently securing a dramatic one-run win over the Otago Sparks and a clinical five-wicket victory against Wellington Blaze. On the other hand, the Magicians have had a nightmare start to their campaign, languishing at the bottom of the table with just a single point to show for their efforts.
Squads:
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
Auckland Hearts Women’s Cricket Team
Olivia Anderson, Bella Armstrong, Elizabeth Buchanan, Prue Catton, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Amie Hucker, Bree Illing, Ayaan Lambat, Josie Penfold, Molly Penfold
Players to watch out:
Jodie Dean
Jodie Dean has been a frequent source of aggressive intent for the Magicians, particularly as a reliable option for finding the ropes under pressure. In her appearances this season, she has averaged well, including a quick-fire 20 off just 11 balls against Central Hinds. Her strike rate of 128.84 across her innings places her among the top hitters for the Magicians with 67 runs in 4 innings, proving her ability to shift momentum in the middle overs.
Maddy Green
Maddy Green continues to lead from the front for the Hearts, currently sitting as the tournament’s ninth-highest run-scorer with 138 total runs. Her campaign has been highlighted by a match-winning 53 from 45 balls against Wellington Blaze, maintaining a solid tournament average of 46. With a strike rate of 116.94, she has become the essential anchor for Auckland, providing the stability needed to chase down tough targets.
Melissa Banks
Melissa Banks has remained a consistent wicket-taking threat for the Magicians, often proving difficult to get away in tight situations. She has already picked up five crucial scalps this season, including a disciplined 2 for 23 against Otago Sparks and another 2-wicket haul against Northern Brave. Her career average in the Super Smash stands at 21.52, and her ability to strike once every 18 balls makes her the frontline weapon the Magicians rely on for early breakthroughs.
Molly Penfold
Molly Penfold has established herself as one of the premier pace bowlers this summer, recently earning a Player of the Match award for her clinical performances. She currently boasts one of the best individual bowling spells of the tournament with figures of 3 for 15, keeping her tournament average sharp with four wickets to her name in this tournament so far. Her height and natural speed have allowed her to maintain a heavy dot-ball percentage, effectively strangling opposition scoring rates during the powerplay.
Pitch:
Hagley Oval in Christchurch features a balanced grass pitch that generally favors batters with even bounce and good pace, enabling free-flowing strokeplay. Fast bowlers benefit from early swing and seam movement, particularly with the new ball under cooler conditions or fresh grass, while spinners receive limited assistance as the surface flattens.
Weather:
Expect overcast conditions in Christchurch, with temperatures ranging from a low of 13°C to a high around 20°C and minimal rain at about 0.1 mm. Breezy winds averaging 24 km/h may influence play at Hagley Oval, alongside moderate humidity near 71% and a UV index of 7.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Lea Tahuhu, Kate Anderson, Jodie Dean, Izzy Sharp, Gabby Sullivan, Prue Catton, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Amie Hucker, Josie Penfold, Molly Penfold
Match Details:
Date – January 10, 2026
Time – 6:40 AM IST
Venue – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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