• Canterbury Magicians, Otago Volts check into heartbreak hotel
• Just two more doubleheaders remain before Finals this weekend
• Nine teams alive – men’s and women’s qualification races both set to go down to the wire
The Otago Volts have paid the price for a flat finish to their Dream11 Super Smash campaign, bumped out of the top three qualifying spots after the Canterbury Kings beat Northern Brave by 56 runs in Christchurch tonight, with career-best bowling figures for Kings captain Cole McConchie (4/31).
The former leaders ironically become the first men’s team to drop out of contention, while the Brave, Kings, Auckland Aces and bottom-of-the-table Wellington Firebirds are all still fighting for the last two available berths in the men’s Finals.
Already qualified, the Central Stags host the Auckland Aces tomorrow evening in Napier; followed by the Brave versus the Firebirds in Wellington on Thursday – with the qualification race in both the men’s and women’s competitions destined to go right down to the wire this summer.
After today’s result in Christchurch, two teams are now left fighting for the last available spot in the weekend’s women’s Finals: the Auckland Hearts and Northern Brave.
The Otago Sparks and Wellington Blaze have already qualified, while the Canterbury Magicians became the second team to drop out of contention following their six -wicket loss to Northern Brave at Hagley, this afternoon.
The Auckland Hearts will be looking to beat the bottom-of-the-table Central Hinds tomorrow in Napier, and if they do, must wait to see whether the Brave beat defending champions Wellington Blaze at the Cello Basin Reserve on Thursday – or how things sit in the event of a washout or tie – to learn whether they progress.
ELIMINATION FINALS
Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
Saturday, 1 February 2025
12.40pm: Women’s 2v3 qualifiers
4.25pm: Men’s 2v3 qualifiers
GRAND FINALS
Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
Sunday, 2 February 2025
12.40pm: Women’s Elimination Final winner v Q1
4.25pm: Men’s Elimination Final winner v Q1
Points at a glance (number of rounds played) with 4 points for a win
Central Stags 24 (9) Q
Northern Brave 20 (9)
Canterbury Kings 18 (10) NRR 0.28
Otago Volts 18 (10) NRR -0.13
Auckland Aces 16 (9)
Wellington Firebirds 16 (9)
Otago Sparks 28 (10) Q
Wellington Blaze 24 (9) Q
Northern Brave 20 (9)
Auckland Hearts 18 (9)
Canterbury Magicians 16 (10)
Central Hinds 6 (9)
MATCHES/RESULTS THIS WEEK
Friday, 24 January 2025
At Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Canterbury Magicians lost to Wellington Blaze by 10 wickets
Canterbury Kings lost to Wellington Firebirds by 31 runs
Saturday, 25 January 2025
At Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui
Northern Brave lost to Otago Sparks by 6 wickets
Northern Brave beat Otago Volts by 4 wickets
Sunday, 26 January 2025
At Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Canterbury Magicians beat Central Hinds by 45 runs
Canterbury Kings v Central Stags – no result (rain)
Monday, 27 January 2025
At Kennards Hire Community Oval, Auckland
Auckland Hearts beat Wellington Blaze by 45 runs
Auckland Aces lost to Wellington Firebirds by 6 wickets
Tuesday, 28 January 2025
At Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Canterbury Magicians lost to Northern Brave by 6 wickets
Canterbury Kings beat Northern Brave by 56 runs
Wednesday, 29 January 2025
At McLean Park, Napier (Central’s home fixture)
2.10pm Central Hinds v Auckland Hearts
5.55pm Central Stags v Auckland Aces
Thursday, 30 January 2025 – last regular round before the Finals
At Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
12.40pm Wellington Blaze v Northern Brave
4.25pm Wellington Firebirds v Northern Brave