After two washouts in a row, the ACES & HEARTS will finally get a chance to play their first match since the opening Super Smash round in the mercifully semi-arid climate of Alexandra, with Molyneux Park playing host to a Super Smash match for just the second time in three years.

Both sides named 13 squad members as cover for two back-to-back away fixtures, the first being the washout in New Plymouth on 29 December.

WHITEFERNS Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Fran Jonas and Molly Penfold all remain in the HEARTS squad after missing out on a chance to play their first Super Smash matches of the season in Wellington and New Plymouth.

Last season’s away fixture against the Otago Sparks in Queenstown resulted in one of the best wins of the HEARTS’ season, with an all-round Anna Browning performance (1/18 & 42) being the highlight.

Browning will take her place at the top of a HEARTS batting order who are yet to test their skills after two washouts in a row.

The first ball is at 12:30pm with live action screened live on TVNZ+ and Duke.

Unavailable due to injury: Elizabeth Buchanan, Brooke Halliday & Amberly Parr.

Auckland HEARTS vs. Otago Sparks
Molyneux Park, Alexandra
1 January, 2024
12:30pm start

BG Armstrong
AS Browning
SE Bowden
P Catton
IC Gaze
ML Green (c)
AT Hucker
BG Illing
FC Jonas
CS Pedersen
JO Penfold
MM Penfold
S Shahri

Similarly, the ACES will finally have the chance to test their new look lineup.

Finn Allen and Jimmy Neesham are still in the BLACKCAPS’ T20I squad against Bangladesh, giving the chance for powerful top order batters Will O’Donnell and Cole Briggs to return to the ACES setup.

Adi Ashok’s injury also gives Matt Gibson a chance to return to the ACES fold.

Despite the two washout, the ACES still sit at second on the table after their opening round win against Canterbury Kings. They face an Otago Volts team smarting from two losses and a washout so far.

The first ball is at 4:00pm and is screening live on TVNZ+ and Duke.

Unavailable due to injury: Adi Ashok, Lockie Ferguson, Simon Keene, Yahya Zeb. Unavailable due to international commitments: Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham.

Auckland ACES vs. Otago Volts
Molyneux Park, Alexandra
1 January, 2024
4:00pm start

CJ Briggs
LJ Delport
DK Ferns
CD Fletcher (wk)
MJ Gibson
MJ Guptill
RD Harrison
BG Lister
JJ McKenzie
RR O’Donnell (c)
WT O’Donnell
NS Perera
SM Solia

Article added: Sunday 31 December 2023