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Auckland Hearts will clash with Northern Brave in the 13th match of the Women’s Super Smash 2024-25 season at Seddon Park, Hamilton. The game starts at 7:30 AM IST on Monday, January 13, 2025. Auckland Hearts are eager to bounce back from their recent defeat, while Northern Brave will look to maintain momentum after an emphatic victory.
This fixture is critical as both teams aim to challenge Wellington Blaze and Otago Sparks at the top of the points table.
Match Details
| Fixture | Auckland Hearts vs Northern Brave |
|---|---|
| Date | January 15, 2025 |
| Time | 7:30 AM IST |
| Venue | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
Teams Preview
Auckland Hearts Preview
Auckland Hearts are coming off a heavy nine-wicket defeat against Canterbury Magicians. Despite their loss, the Hearts showed promise with their top five batters all making starts. However, none of them converted those starts into significant contributions, a crucial factor they must address to stay competitive.
Lauren Down (25), Brooke Halliday (23), and Isabella Gaze (22) provided steady performances but lacked the finishing touch to push the total to a defendable target. On the bowling front, Molly Penfold was the only wicket-taker, though she proved expensive.
The experienced duo of Fran Jonas and Brooke Halliday will be key to controlling the Brave’s strong batting lineup. If Auckland can manage early breakthroughs and sustain partnerships with the bat, they stand a chance of turning things around.
Key Players: Lauren Down, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas
Predicted Playing XI:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Isabella Gaze (wk) | Wicketkeeper |
| Saachi Shahri | Batter |
| Maddy Green (c) | Batter |
| Brooke Halliday | All-rounder |
| Lauren Down | Batter |
| Prue Catton | All-rounder |
| Bella Armstrong | Batter |
| Molly Penfold | Bowler |
| Amie Hucker | Bowler |
| Fran Jonas | Bowler |
| Bree Illing | Bowler |
Northern Brave Preview
Northern Brave enter this game with high confidence following a dominant nine-wicket win over Central Hinds. The standout performers included Chamari Athapaththu, who showcased her all-round prowess by taking 4/16 in four overs and following up with an unbeaten 45 off 31 balls.
Captain Jess Watkin led by example, smashing 51 off 32 balls to set up a comfortable chase. The spin pairing of Athapaththu and Amanda-Jade Wellington (2/23) proved effective, and the Brave’s bowling unit looks formidable.
With momentum on their side, Northern Brave will look to exploit Auckland Hearts’ vulnerabilities. Maintaining discipline with the ball and leveraging Athapaththu’s form will be pivotal for their success.
Key Players: Chamari Athapaththu, Jess Watkin, Amanda-Jade Wellington
Predicted Playing XI:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Jess Watkin (c) | All-rounder |
| Chamari Athapaththu | All-rounder |
| Caitlin Gurrey | Batter |
| Sam Curtis | All-rounder |
| Nensi Patel | All-rounder |
| Marina Lamplough | Batter |
| Amanda-Jade Wellington | Bowler |
| Carol Agafili | Wicketkeeper |
| Holly Topp (wk) | Wicketkeeper |
| Marama Downes | Bowler |
| Shriya Naidu | Bowler |
Fantasy Team XI
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Captain | Chamari Athapaththu |
| Vice-Captain | Jess Watkin |
| Batsmen | Lauren Down, Caitlin Gurrey, Maddy Green |
| All-rounders | Brooke Halliday, Amanda-Jade Wellington |
| Wicketkeeper | Isabella Gaze |
| Bowlers | Fran Jonas, Molly Penfold, Shriya Naidu |
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch Report
Seddon Park offers assistance to quick bowlers and provides bounce for spinners. The average first innings score at this venue is around 135 runs. Batting will not be easy, and any total above 140 could prove competitive.
Weather Conditions
It will be a sunny day in Hamilton with temperatures reaching 25°C by the second innings. No rain interruptions are expected, ensuring a full game.
Toss Prediction
Chasing has been successful in recent games, with three of the last four matches won by the team bowling first. Expect captains to prefer bowling upon winning the toss.
Winning Prediction
Northern Brave are riding high on confidence after a comprehensive victory, while Auckland Hearts are looking to regain form. Given the current momentum and superior bowling attack, Northern Brave appear well-equipped to secure another win.
Prediction: Northern Brave to win.
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