On January 22, 2025, the Canterbury Magicians and the unbeaten Wellington Blaze square off in match 24 at the renowned Hagley Oval in Christchurch, marking an important turning point in the 2024-25 Super Smash. With the Magicians looking to bounce back from a season of instability and the Blaze looking to build on their recent triumph against the Magicians, this matchup is crucial for both teams.
As the Canterbury Magicians and Wellington Blaze prepare for this pivotal Super Smash league match, their recent performances present opposing images. In their last five games, the Magicians switched between victories and defeats, recording two victories and three defeats. This match is crucial for them to regain form since; despite displaying flashes of their brilliance, they have been unable to sustain momentum.
Wellington Blaze, on the other hand, has been playing with better rhythm and has won three of their last five games. The Blaze, who have a record of three victories and two defeats, are the more assured team going into this match because they have proven resilient and capable of recovering. The goal for both sides is to strengthen their positions with a strong performance.
Squads:
Canterbury Magicians Squad:
Kate Anderson, Sarah Asmussen, Natalie Cox, Jodie Dean, Harriet Graham, Abigail Hotton, Laura Hughes, Emma Irwin, Frances Mackay, Madeline Penna, Izzy Sharp, Jessica Simmons, Gabby Sullivan
Wellington Blaze Squad:
Nicole Baird, Rachel Bryant, Rebecca Burns, Kate Chandler, Natasha Codyre, Hannah Francis, Antonia Hamilton, Xara Jetly, Leigh Kasperek, Caitlin King, Jessica McFadyen, Gemma Sims, Phoenix Williams
Players to watch out:
Frances Mackay
The all-rounder has performed exceptionally well despite having few opportunities. She has scored 125 runs at an incredible average of 125.00 and a strike rate of 88.65 in just three games. In addition to her batting talent, she has demonstrated effectiveness with the ball, claiming five wickets in three games at a remarkable strike rate of 14.4 and economy rate of 5.17. She will be crucial in limiting the Blaze’s middle-field scoring once more.
Kate Anderson
This season, Kate Anderson has been a reliable performer for the Magicians. She has amassed 212 runs at a strike rate of 103.41 and an average of 30.29 in 8 games. Anderson, who is renowned for her ability to lead the innings and score runs consistently, will be essential in establishing or pursuing a competitive total. She is one of Canterbury’s most dependable batters because of her ability to adjust to different match circumstances.
Leigh Kasperek
With eight wickets in four games at an economy rate of 5.86 and an incredible strike rate of 10.75, Leigh Kasperek has been outstanding with the ball. She is among the league’s most efficient bowlers because of her precision and ability to take wickets at critical times. She is a player who can impact the game in a variety of ways due to her versatility and experience under pressure.
Xara Jetly
With seven wickets at an economy rate of 7.07 and a strike rate of 24.85 in eight games, Xara Jetly has been a reliable player for the Blaze. She is a tremendous asset because of her ability to bowl both in the middle overs and during the powerplay. Jetly’s ability to disrupt alliances will be essential to the Blaze winning the game.
Pitch:
The Hagley Oval pitch promises an exciting battle between bat and ball. Early in the game, fast bowlers will likely benefit from the movement available, especially in cloudy conditions. As the match goes on, the surface becomes more batting-friendly, with the small ground and short boundaries providing plenty of scoring opportunities for aggressive batters. Historically, the average first innings score at Hagley Oval is 126, but teams hoping for a competitive total should aim for around 140.
Weather:
It is anticipated that the weather in Christchurch would be ideal for cricket. There will be a slight breeze and a temperature of about 15°C. In the early stages of the game, quick bowlers may benefit from the high humidity. Even though it will be gloomy throughout the day, there is no chance of rain, therefore the game will go on without interruption.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Melie Kerr, Sophie Devine, Jess Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Izzy Sharp, Xara Jetly, Leigh Kasperek, Kate Anderson, Frances Mackay, Rebecca Burns, Gabby Sullivan
Match Details:
Date: January 24, 2025
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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