In match no. 18 of the 2024-2025 Women’s T20 Super Smash, table-toppers Otago Sparks, with 5 wins from 7 games, will face Wellington Blaze, who have only lost one game out of their 4 so far. The game will be played at University Oval, Dunedin, on the 18th of January 2024, starting at 3:10 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).

Squads:
Otago Sparks
Suzie Bates, Emma Black, Caitlin Blakely, Anna Browning, Eden Carson, Olivia Gain, Kirstie Gordon, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Hayley Jensen (C), Molly Loe, Felicity Robertson
Wellington Blaze
Melie Kerr, Nicole Baird, Rachel Bryant, Rebecca Burns, Natasha Codyre, Sophie Devine, Xara Jetly, Caitlin King, Jess Kerr, Sam Mackinder, Jess Mcfadyen, Gemma Sims
Players to watch out:
Olivia Gain
The 23-year-old top-order batter didn’t find much success last Smash season, accumulating 40 runs from 7 outings. However, Olivia had a promising start to this domestic season in the One Dayers and has carried that momentum into the T20 fixtures, registering scores of 10*, 24, 48, 9, 34, and 21. She should be backed to convert these starts into substantial scores, leading the scoring for her side.
Kirstie Gordon
The 27-year-old left-arm off-spinner, from 30 appearances in The Hundred, has scalped as many wickets, at an economy rate of 7.50. Kirstie had an outstanding start to this Smash stint, producing consecutive bowling figures of 2/25, 2/14, and 2/16. While in her subsequent 4 games she has scalped only 3 wickets, she has been economical and can be counted on for the wickets.
Sophie Devine
The 35-year-old all-rounder in T20Is, from 139 outings, has racked up 3,391 runs at an average of 28.25 and a strike rate of 120.93, while also picking 117 wickets at an economy rate of 6.58 from 120 innings. Sophie featured in only two Smash games last season, and in her first outing this season, though she departed for a duck, she recorded figures of 1/22. She can be relied upon to deliver the goods.
Jess Kerr
The 26-year-old pacer, from 10 Smash outings last edition, struck 7 wickets at an economy rate of 5.36 and added 74 runs at a strike rate of 129.82. Jess struck 11 wickets and added 100 runs from 6 One Dayers early this domestic season and has continued this form in the T20s, notching up three fifties and taking 9 wickets from 4 outings. She can be relied upon for all-round efforts.
Pitch:
The 22-yard strip at Dunedin University Oval is relatively balanced, with an average score in the 130s. While conditions are conducive to batting, the wicket also offers assistance to bowlers, particularly pacers, as reflected in the healthy average score.
Weather:
The conditions are forecast to be pleasant for cricket, with minimal chances of rain despite cloudy overhead. The temperature is expected to hover around 17°C, with moderate winds and humidity at 81%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Polly Inglis, Caitlin Blakely, Olivia Gain, Melie Kerr, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Jess Kerr, Emma Black, Eden Carson, Hayley Jensen, Kirstie Gordon
Match details:
Date – January 18, 2025
Time – 3:10 AM IST
Venue – University Oval, Dunedin
Broadcast – The game will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website.

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