Both the Canterbury Magicians and Auckland Hearts have managed only one win each from their respective three games so far in the ongoing 2024-25 Women’s T20 Super Smash. The two teams will clash in match no. 11, slated for the 10th of January 2025, at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, at 6:40 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Canterbury Magicians
Kate Anderson, Sarah Asmussen, Missy Banks, Nat Cox, Jodie Dean, Kate Ebrahim, Abigale Gerken, Laura Hughes (C), Shikha Pandey, Maddie Penna, Izzy Sharp, Gabby Sullivan
Auckland Hearts
Bella Armstrong, Prue Catton, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green (C), Brooke Halliday, Amie Hucker, Bree Illing, Fran Jonas, Josie Penfold, Molly Penfold, Saachi Shahri
Players to watch out:
Maddie Penna
The 24-year-old Australian batting all-rounder in the WBBL has accumulated 949 runs from 58 outings, at an average of 29.65 and a strike rate of 115.30, while also picking up 13 wickets from 17 innings. In the 2024-25 season, Maddie accumulated 170 runs at a strike rate of 137.09 from 8 WBBL games. While she has failed to carry this form into the Smash, she has looked good with the ball and would want to step up her efforts.
Shikha Pandey
The 35-year-old Indian bowling all-rounder most recently featured in the WBBL, scalping 12 wickets from as many outings and maintaining an economy rate of 6.90. Shikha has extended this rewarding form into the Super Smash, returning bowling figures of 2/17, 2/17, and 1/19, while also stepping up with the bat, registering scores of 63, 6, and 37. The seasoned campaigner can be relied upon for breakthroughs and handy runs.
Maddy Green
The 32-year-old top-order batter in the Smash last season, from 7 outings, amassed 283 runs at an average of 47.16 and a strike rate of 111.41. Maddy has enjoyed a purple patch of late and kicked off this domestic season with scores of 65, 118*, 47, and 70 in the One Dayers. However, in the T20s, she has only managed starts and a wicket, and the experienced campaigner should be backed to rediscover her footing.
Josie Penfold
The 25-year-old pacer, from 8 Smash outings last summer, secured 7 wickets at an economy rate of 7.03 and recorded the best of 3/31, while also chipping in with 48 runs. Josie didn’t have a very successful start to this domestic season, securing only 3 wickets from 6 One Dayers, while registering consecutive scores of 29, 10*, 23, and 24. She has had a wicketless start to this T20 season and can be trusted to stage a turnaround.
Pitch:
The wicket at Hagley Oval provides a certain degree of assistance to the batters. Although it is a batting-friendly surface, the average score at the venue remains in the 140s, indicating that there’s assistance for both spinners and pacers to exploit.
Weather:
The conditions are ideal at Hagley Oval, as the chances of rain are minimal despite the cloudy overhead. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 18°C, with light winds and a humidity of 68%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Maddy Green, Izzy Gaze, Lauren Down, Brooke Halliday, Kate Ebrahim, Maddie Penna, Kate Anderson, Fran Jonas, Shikha Pandey, Missy Banks, Gabby Sullivan
Match details:
Date – January 10, 2024
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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