Northern Brave Women have been performing quite well in the ongoing 2025-26 Women’s Super Smash, despite a match being abandoned and a subsequent loss. The Jess Watkin-led side bounced back against Otago Sparks by winning the game by 24 runs, and they secured a thumping victory over Canterbury Magicians by 105 runs.
They currently sit in the 4th position on the table and will be looking to carry the momentum forward to climb the ladder and secure a spot at the top. Tash Wakelin and Marama Downes produced a phenomenal performance against the Magicians, along with the cameo of Kayley Knight. Northern Brave will gear up to face Wellington Blaze in their 5th match of the tournament. Here are the top 3 players to look out for:
Tash Wakelin
Tash Wakelin wasn’t off to the best of starts in the tournament as she was dismissed for a duck against Wellington Blaze in their very first match. She missed the second game and was brought back in their 3rd game against Canterbury Magicians. Wakelin absolutely dominated the proceedings with a stunning 86*(52), including 14 boundaries at a strike rate of 165. She can take the game away from the opposition with her technical prowess and her ability to keep the scoreboard ticking even when wickets fall at the other end. With Wakelin in form, the Northern Brave have a stronger batting unit and if she can bat this deep consistently, the opposition bowlers will be having a nightmare.
Kayley Knight
Kayley Knight has been a consistent performer for Northern Brave this season, as she has made contributions with both bat and ball. She has picked up 3 wickets so far from the 3 matches, but at an economical rate, which makes her a valuable bowler who piles the pressure up on the opposition with low-scoring overs. With the bat, she played a quickfire innings of 18*(9), including 2 fours and a six. She doesn’t need much time to get going once she’s in the crease, which is a very important skill to have when you bat down the order. Her all-round ability would be crucial to the side, considering their need for consistency in the coming matches with both bat and ball.
Marama Downes
Marama Downes has been one of the best bowlers of the Northern Brave side, along with Lucy Boucher. Her ability to hit the lengths consistently and to find breakthroughs is highly rated. She has picked up 6 wickets in the tournament so far, at a very economical rate. She got her best figures in their previous match against Canterbury Magicians, where she picked up 4 wickets, giving away just 11 runs. With the kind of bowling skill she possesses, batters would be cautious, and she has a special knack for taking wickets from all kinds of situations. Northern Brave will be banking on Marama Downes and Lucy Boucher to falter the batting unit of the opposition.
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