Heading into the January 18 clash at the University Oval, Otago Sparks and Northern Brave find themselves in a tight race for the knockout spots. Currently, the Sparks sit in fourth place with 17 points from seven games, having managed three wins and a rain-affected draw. They are coming off a narrow loss to Wellington Blaze but previously secured a thrilling win over the Auckland Hearts. The Northern Brave follow closely in fifth with 12 points, having won two of their six matches. Their momentum has stalled slightly with recent losses, including a close 3-run defeat against the Blaze, making this fixture a must-win to keep their elimination final hopes alive.
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
Northern Brave Women’s Cricket Team
Tash Wakelin, Jess Watkin, Jo Gardner, Caitlin Gurrey, Nensi Patel, Marina Lamplough, Kayley Knight, Eve Wolland, Holly Topp, Lucy Boucher, Carol Agafili, Marama Downes
Players to watch out:
Bella James
Bella James has been a consistent presence for Otago Sparks in the middle order, featuring in six matches so far this season. She has accumulated 104 runs at a steady average of 20.80, with the best score of 40 that proved vital in a tight contest against Auckland Hearts. While she keeps the scoreboard ticking with a strike rate of 102.97, her safe hands in the field have been equally important, as she currently leads the charts for most catches by a non-wicketkeeper.
Tash Wakelin
Representing Northern Brave, Tash Wakelin has shown flashes of brilliance as a hard-hitting middle-order batter in her five appearances. Her standout moment this season was a superb unbeaten 86 against Otago Sparks, an innings that remains one of the highest individual scores of the tournament. With 94 runs at an average of 31.33 and a strike rate of 132.39, she is proving to be a dangerous player who can change the course of a game very quickly.
Eva Gray
Eva Gray has played a key role for Otago Sparks, contributing with both bat and ball across seven matches. While she has picked up 6 wickets with the best of 2/35, it was her explosive cameo with the bat—an unbeaten 35 off just 13 balls—that snatched a dramatic victory for her side against Auckland. She is a reliable all-round asset, maintaining a high bowling workload of over 23 overs while remaining ready to deliver finishing blows in the lower order.
Kayley Knight
Operating as a primary seam option for Northern Brave, Kayley Knight has been a steady performer with the ball through her six matches. She has claimed 6 wickets so far, maintaining a disciplined economy rate of 6.27 and showing great control during her opening and middle-over spells. Her best figures of 2/20 highlight her ability to break partnerships, making her a vital component of the Brave’s bowling attack this summer.
Pitch:
University Oval’s pitch in Dunedin provides a balanced surface with good bounce on Kakanui clay, favoring pace early before slowing for batters. Average first-innings T20 scores sit around 180, with chasing sides holding a slight edge in T20s.
Weather:
Dunedin weather features cool 13-14°C temperatures, overcast skies, and gusty southwesterly winds up to 47 km/h. Low 10% rain risk persists most hours, with high 90% humidity aiding swing bowling.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Emma Black, Caitlin Blakely, Eva Gray, Laura Harris, Bella James, Louisa Kotkamp, Tash Wakelin, Jess Watkin, Nensi Patel, Kayley Knight, Lucy Boucher
Match Details:
Date – January 18, 2026
Time – 5:10 AM IST
Venue – University Oval, Dunedin
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
Loves all things female cricket