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The Women’s Super Smash 2024-25 has entered its crucial phase, with every team fighting hard to secure a better position on the points table. In this context, the 24th game between the Canterbury Magicians and the Wellington Blaze holds immense significance. The Magicians, reeling from a 39-run loss to the Blaze in their last encounter, will aim for redemption. On the other hand, the Blaze, riding high on their strong performance this season, will look to consolidate their position with another win.
Wellington Blaze has been one of the top-performing teams, winning five of their seven games, while Canterbury Magicians have struggled for consistency, with only one win in their last seven meetings against the Blaze. The pressure will be on the Magicians to rise to the challenge and deliver.
Match Details
| Match | Canterbury Magicians vs. Wellington Blaze |
|---|---|
| Date | January 25, 2025 |
| Time | 2:30 PM NZT |
| Venue | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| Broadcast | Spark Sport, NZC YouTube |
Team Previews
Canterbury Magicians Preview
Lea Tahuhu’s side has had a difficult campaign so far, with consistency eluding them. Their last defeat to the Blaze by 39 runs has added to their woes, but playing at home could provide an advantage. Kate Anderson, the team’s top scorer with 199 runs this season, will be pivotal in giving the team a strong start alongside Jodie Dean. Abigale Gerken, Izzy Sharp, and Shikha Pandey will have to step up in the middle order, while Lea Tahuhu and Kate Ebrahim’s contributions lower down the order will be crucial.
The bowling attack, led by Lea Tahuhu and Gabby Sullivan, will need to bring their A-game. Melissa Banks and Shikha Pandey must improve their performance with the new ball, while Kate Anderson and Kate Ebrahim’s supporting role in the middle overs could be a deciding factor.
Key Players: Kate Anderson, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu
Predicted Playing XI:
Lea Tahuhu (c), Kate Anderson, Jodie Dean, Abigale Gerken (wk), Izzy Sharp, Shikha Pandey, Natalie Cox, Kate Ebrahim, Melissa Banks, Gabby Sullivan, Sarah Asmussen
Wellington Blaze Preview
Amelia Kerr’s Wellington Blaze has been the team to beat this season, with their batting and bowling units clicking. Jess Kerr, the tournament’s leading scorer with 280 runs in seven games, will be a key player in this contest. She, along with Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr, forms a strong top order. Rebecca Burns, Maitlan Brown, and Jessica McFadyen provide depth in the batting, making the Blaze a formidable lineup.
In the bowling department, Jess Kerr has been exceptional, picking up four wickets in the last game. Xara Jetly, Maitlan Brown, and Sophie Devine will need to maintain their form and provide crucial breakthroughs, while Amelia Kerr and Sam Mackinder will aim to control the middle overs.
Key Players: Jess Kerr, Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr
Predicted Playing XI:
Amelia Kerr (c), Sophie Devine, Rebecca Burns, Jess Kerr, Maitlan Brown, Jessica McFadyen (wk), Caitlin King, Xara Jetly, Sam Mackinder, Nicole Baird, Natasha Codyre
Fantasy Team XI
| Player | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Jess Kerr (C) | Wellington Blaze | All-rounder |
| Kate Anderson (VC) | Canterbury Magicians | Batter |
| Sophie Devine | Wellington Blaze | All-rounder |
| Amelia Kerr | Wellington Blaze | All-rounder |
| Rebecca Burns | Wellington Blaze | Batter |
| Abigale Gerken | Canterbury Magicians | Wicketkeeper |
| Lea Tahuhu | Canterbury Magicians | All-rounder |
| Shikha Pandey | Canterbury Magicians | Bowler |
| Melissa Banks | Canterbury Magicians | Bowler |
| Xara Jetly | Wellington Blaze | Bowler |
| Gabby Sullivan | Canterbury Magicians | Bowler |
Pitch Report
Hagley Oval in Christchurch offers a balanced track, though early movement for pacers makes batting tricky during the initial overs. Batters will need to play cautiously early on, but the conditions improve as the game progresses. Spinners might struggle due to the short square boundaries, making this a challenging venue for them.
Average First Innings Score: 126-150 runs
Toss Prediction: Teams will prefer to bowl first, as the conditions tend to ease for batters in the second innings.
Weather Conditions
Cloudy skies are expected in Christchurch, with temperatures hovering around 15°C. The humidity levels will be high, and bowlers could benefit from the movement on offer with the new ball. No rain interruptions are forecasted.
Match Prediction
Wellington Blaze has been in superb form and boasts a better record against the Canterbury Magicians. With their strong batting lineup and effective bowling attack, the Blaze starts as favorites. The Magicians will need a spirited performance from their key players to overcome the odds.
Predicted Winner: Wellington Blaze
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