With Laura Hughes back at the helm at Hagley Oval, the Canterbury Magicians have won the toss and are batting first against Melie Kerr’s Wellington Blaze as the last week of the Dream11 Super Smash regular season begins.
If defending champion the Blaze can win today’s match, they will remain in control of their own destiny in the quest for Grand Final direct entry — while a loss could open the door to other teams catching them on equal points, and spots in the Grand and Elimination Finals being decided on net run rate, pending coming games.
WHITE FERN Jess Kerr heads into the game needing just four more wickets to catch Otago Spark Eden Carson (17 wickets) as the women’s leading Dream11 Super Smash wicket-taker so far this summer, while Kerr’s growing prowess with the bat has shaped as one of the highlights of the T20 season.
Proving herself as a genuine allrounder, the elder Kerr sister is currently the top batter in the women’s Super Smash with 280 runs from seven matches, including the first three T20 half centuries of her career.
Younger sister and captain Melie Kerr is not far behind, in second spot with 267 runs heading into today’s crunch game.
Looking to continue a late charge, the Canterbury Kings meanwhile need a win later today against the Firebirds if they are to remain a chance of pipping the Central Stags at the top of the table, with the Stags and Kings set to go head-to-head in the following matchday in Christchurch, this Sunday.
After an up and down campaign, the Firebirds head into today’s game in the most precarious position among the men’s teams, no longer able to catch the Stags, and with rivals closing in on the three top spots.
Points at a glance (number of rounds played)
Central Stags 22 (8)
Otago Volts 18 (9)
Auckland Aces 16 (8)
Northern Brave 16 (7)
Canterbury Kings 12 (7)
Wellington Firebirds 8 (7)
Otago Sparks 24 (9)
Wellington Blaze 20 (7)
Northern Brave 16 (7)
Auckland Hearts 14 (8)
Canterbury Magicians 12 (7)
Central Hinds 6 (8)
MATCHES/RESULTS THIS WEEK
Tuesday, 21 January 2025
At Seddon Park, Hamilton
Northern Brave v Central Hinds – abandoned with no toss made
Northern Brave v Central Stags – abandoned with no toss made
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
At Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
Wellington Blaze beat Canterbury Magicians by 39 runs
Wellington Firebirds lost to Canterbury Kings by 11 runs
Thursday, 23 January 2025
At Kennards Hire Community Oval, Auckland – free admission
Auckland Hearts v beat Otago Sparks by 25 runs
Auckland Aces beat Otago Volts by 69 runs
Friday, 24 January 2025
At Hagley Oval, Christchurch
2.10pm: Canterbury Magicians v Wellington Blaze
5.55pm: Canterbury Kings v Wellington Firebirds
Saturday, 25 January 2025
At Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui
2.10pm: Northern Brave v Otago Sparks
5.55pm: Northern Brave v Otago Volts
Sunday, 26 January 2025
At Hagley Oval, Christchurch
12.40pm: Canterbury Magicians v Central Hinds
4.25pm: Canterbury Kings v Central Stags
Full scorecards at www.supersmash.co.nz
Follow the latest on Dream11 Super Smash X: https://x.com/SuperSmashNZ/
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• Match squads are announced by the relevant Major Associations a day before each game
• Playing XIs are confirmed at the toss
• Watch live coverage of every match on TVNZ+ / TVNZ Duke, and follow livescoring and stats at www.nzc.nz, www.supersmash.co.nz, or on the NZC app
• The schedule comprises 64 T20s in all, spread across 10 venues throughout Aotearoa New Zealand
• Both the men’s and women’s Grand Finals, at the Cello Basin Reserve on 2 February 2025, will also be broadcast LIVE on Sport Nation
Official league hashtag: #SuperSmashNZ
Official photographer: www.Photosport.nz
Guide to Team Names — NZC Domestic Cricket
Please note the distinctions between formats for the Northern & Canterbury teams, as follows:
Plunket Shield & The Ford Trophy Super Smash
Canterbury Canterbury Kings
Northern Districts Northern Brave
Central Stags Central Stags
Wellington Firebirds Wellington Firebirds
Auckland Aces Auckland Aces
Otago Volts Otago Volts
Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Super Smash
Canterbury Magicians Canterbury Magicians
Northern Districts Northern Brave
Central Hinds Central Hinds
Wellington Blaze Wellington Blaze
Auckland Hearts Auckland Hearts
Otago Sparks Otago Sparks
