As the Women’s Super Smash 2025-26 enters its final stretch, the upcoming clash at Hagley Oval carries very different weight for these two sides. Looking at the current standings, Northern Brave sit comfortably in third place with 23 points from nine matches, having secured four wins to keep themselves firmly in the hunt for the knockouts. In contrast, Canterbury Magicians have endured a tough run, languishing at the bottom of the table with just 6 points. Their last outing was a heartbreaker—a narrow 6-run loss to Wellington Blaze where they nearly chased down the target but stumbled at the finish line. Meanwhile, Northern Brave come into this match with wind in their sails after a gritty one-wicket win over Auckland Hearts, proving they can hold their nerve in tight situations.
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
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:
Kate Anderson
Kate has been a vital part of Canterbury Magicians’ top order, piling up 207 runs across her 9 appearances this season. She has shown great composure at the crease, evidenced by her high score of 66* and a solid average of 25.87. While her strike rate sits just above 100, her ability to anchor an innings is clear, having already smashed 25 boundaries to help steady the ship for her side.
Caitlin Gurrey
Representing Northern Brave, Caitlin has proven to be a reliable run-getter with 152 runs in 8 matches so far. She plays with a bit more aggression, maintaining a strike rate of 110.94 and finding the fence 18 times along with a couple of big sixes. Her season highlight remains a well-played 64*, showing she has the temperament to carry her bat through an innings when her team needs it most.
Melissa Banks
Melissa has been a standout performer with the ball for the Magicians, currently sitting as one of the joint-leading wicket-takers with 14 scalps. She’s been incredibly consistent over her 30 overs, maintaining a respectable economy of 7.53 and delivering a best spell of 3/32. Her knack for breaking partnerships has been a silver lining for the Magicians, making her one of the most dangerous medium pacers in the competition.
Kayley Knight
Kayley has been a key component of the Northern Brave bowling attack, chipping in with 8 wickets in her 7 innings. She has shown great control for a young bowler, keeping her economy rate to a tidy 6.07—one of the better marks among the frequent wicket-takers. With a best return of 2/20 and over 25 overs under her belt, she’s proving to be a difficult bowler to get away during the middle and death overs.
Pitch:
Hagley Oval traditionally offers a spicy green-top surface that provides significant pace, carry, and seam movement for bowlers, though it often flattens into a high-scoring batting track as the match progresses.
Weather:
The forecast for Christchurch on match day predicts light rain and a high of 16°C, with a 35% chance of precipitation during both the day and night.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Kate Anderson, Sarah Asmussen, Missy Banks, Izzy Sharp, Gabby Sullivan, Tash Wakelin, Jess Watkin, Caitlin Gurrey, Nensi Patel, Kayley Knight, Marama Downes
Match Details:
Date – January 25, 2026
Time – 5:10 AM IST
Venue – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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