The Women’s Super Smash 2024-25 season heats up as Otago Sparks take on Wellington Blaze at University Oval, Dunedin, in what promises to be a pivotal match for both teams. Otago Sparks, despite their strong start, suffered a rare loss to Northern Brave in their last game and will aim to bounce back. On the other hand, Wellington Blaze, heavily reliant on the Kerr sisters, find themselves needing a win to stay in contention for the top spot. Sparks previously defeated Blaze by seven wickets this season, and Blaze will seek redemption in this high-stakes encounter.
Match Details
Match | Otago Sparks Women vs. Wellington Blaze Women |
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Date | January 20, 2025 |
Time | 2:30 PM Local Time |
Venue | University Oval, Dunedin |
Weather | Cloudy, cool, no significant rain expected |
Team Previews
Otago Sparks
After a dominant start, the Sparks hit a stumbling block against Northern Brave, struggling with both bat and ball. Their batting lineup faltered, with no player managing to capitalize on starts. Suzie Bates, their experienced opener, scored a run-a-ball 26, but the rest of the top order failed to convert. For this game, Sparks will look to focus on strike rotation to avoid unnecessary risks.
In the bowling department, Eden Carson and Hayley Jensen remain key figures. Carson’s ability to extract turn on spin-friendly tracks and Jensen’s consistency with the ball will be crucial. With an improved batting effort, Sparks will back themselves to get back to winning ways.
Key Players: Suzie Bates, Hayley Jensen, Eden Carson
Predicted Playing XI:
Suzie Bates, Poppy Jay Watkins, Olivia Gain, Caitlin Blakely, Polly Inglis (wk), Felicity Leydon-Davis, Anna Browning, Hayley Jensen (c), Kirstie Gordon, Eden Carson, Emma Black
Wellington Blaze
The Blaze have been inconsistent this season, with their reliance on the Kerr sisters—Amelia and Jess—being a major talking point. In their last game against Sparks, the duo contributed significantly with the bat, but the rest of the lineup failed to provide support. Jess Kerr’s unbeaten 56 and her economical bowling (2/10) remain standout performances.
For Blaze to succeed, contributions are needed from players like Sophie Devine and Rebecca Burns. Devine, known for her explosive batting, hasn’t lived up to expectations this season but could turn things around in this crucial match. The bowling attack, spearheaded by the Kerr sisters, needs support from others to contain the Sparks’ batters.
Key Players: Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Sophie Devine
Predicted Playing XI:
Amelia Kerr (c), Rebecca Burns, Sophie Devine, Jess Kerr, Caitlin King, Jessica McFadyen (wk), Xara Jetly, Sam Mackinder, Gemma Sims, Nicole Baird, Natasha Codyre
Fantasy Team XI
Player | Team | Role |
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Suzie Bates (C) | Otago Sparks | Batter |
Jess Kerr (VC) | Wellington Blaze | All-rounder |
Amelia Kerr | Wellington Blaze | All-rounder |
Hayley Jensen | Otago Sparks | All-rounder |
Olivia Gain | Otago Sparks | Batter |
Sophie Devine | Wellington Blaze | Batter |
Eden Carson | Otago Sparks | Bowler |
Kirstie Gordon | Otago Sparks | Bowler |
Nicole Baird | Wellington Blaze | Bowler |
Felicity Leydon-Davis | Otago Sparks | All-rounder |
Xara Jetly | Wellington Blaze | Bowler |
Pitch Report
The University Oval pitch in Dunedin favors spinners, with noticeable turn and grip. Batters need to be patient early in their innings but can accelerate once set. Pacers may struggle to extract much help from the surface, making it a challenging venue for seamers. A par score on this wicket is around 135.
- Average 1st Innings Score: 135
- Toss Prediction: Teams will likely bowl first to exploit early conditions and chase under more predictable circumstances.
Winning Prediction
While Wellington Blaze boasts the brilliance of Amelia and Jess Kerr, Otago Sparks’ all-round strength gives them an edge. The Sparks have more contributors across the board, and their experience should help them recover from their recent setback.
Prediction: Otago Sparks to win.
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