Otago Sparks and WHITE FERNS legend Suzie Bates is fired up to send off 2024 in style – chalking up two more major career achievements as the Sparks host the Central Hinds in Alexandra this afternoon.
The match sees Bates become just the fifth female player to gain 100 Dream11 Super Smash caps for a single team, joining Katie Perkins (Auckland Hearts, 113, retired), Frankie Mackay (Canterbury Magicians, 113), Amy Satterthwaite (Canterbury Magicians, 105, retired) and longtime teammate and Sparks record-holder, now commentator Katey Martin (103, retired).
Other players in the women’s Dream11 Super Smash, including WHITE FERN Maddy Green and Kate Ebrahim, have played 100 Dream11 Super Smash games, but not for a single team.
| Special 100 for Suzie Bates | NZCToday Otago Sparks legend Suzie Bates is set to become one of just five women to chalk up 100 T20 appearances for a single team in New Zealand’s Dream11 Super Smash!www.supersmash.co.nz |
Another significant milestone that Bates ticks off today at Molyneux Park is becoming the first woman to play 800 career matches:
The Sparks are heading into their third round in Central Otago, while opponents and last year’s Finalist the Central Hinds are playing their first game of the 2024/25 Dream11 Super Smash.
Hinds captain Mikaela Greig won her first toss as Dream11 Super Smash captain and elected to bat first on the used pitch in sunny Alexandra.
The match is live in New Zealand on TVNZ Duke and TVNZ+ with live-scoring on the NZC app, www.supersmash.co.nz and nzc.nz.
The game will be followed by the injury-hit Central Stags getting their campaign underway against the Otago Volts from 4.25PM, with BLACKCAP Will Young set to make his first appearance for the Stags this season.
• 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
MATCHES/RESULTS THIS WEEK
Thursday, 26 December 2024
At Seddon Park, Hamilton
Northern Brave v Auckland Hearts – No result, 2 points each
Northern Brave v Auckland Aces – Match abandoned (rain), 2 points each
Friday, 27 December 2024
At Molyneux Park, Alexandra
Otago Sparks lost to Canterbury Magicians by 12 runs (Magicians 4 points)
Otago Volts beat Canterbury Kings by 10 runs (Volts 4 points)
Sunday, 29 December 2023
At Molyneux Park, Alexandra
Otago Sparks beat Auckland Hearts by 7 wickets (Sparks 4 points)
Otago Volts v Auckland Aces – No result, 2 points each
Tuesday, 31 December 2024 – New Year’s Eve
At Molyneux Park, Alexandra
12.40PM Otago Sparks v Central Hinds – Hinds won toss, batted
4.25PM Otago Volts v Central Stags
