Auckland’s Super Smash campaign continues at home on Friday 2 January with a New Year doubleheader, as the Auckland HEARTS host the Wellington Blaze at 12.40pm before the Auckland ACES take on the Wellington Firebirds at 4.25pm.

Both fixtures are rematches of the December 29 contests in Wellington, with Auckland sides looking to turn recent performances into points on the board in front of a home crowd.

The opening match sees the HEARTS looking to respond after a challenging outing against the Blaze last time out. Wellington skipper Melie Kerr produced a sublime unbeaten 106 to steer the Blaze to victory, but there were positives for Auckland to take from the contest. Captain Maddy Green anchored the middle order with a composed and aggressive 39 from 26 balls, providing stability and impetus at a crucial stage of the innings as the HEARTS look to build on that performance at home.

The afternoon clash features the ACES up against the Firebirds following a dramatic encounter played on the 29th. The ACES claimed a five wicket victory in a tight last over thriller, showing composure under pressure to secure their first win of the Super Smash season.

Bevon Jacobs once again led the charge with the bat, scoring 54 to back up his half century from the opening round. The knock means Jacobs has recorded fifties in both ACES matches of the 2025/26 campaign and sits as the leading run scorer in the tournament so far, underlining his outstanding early season form.

Encouraged by their ability to close out a high pressure chase, the ACES will be looking to carry that momentum into Friday’s return fixture as they face the Firebirds for the second time in four days.

Friday’s doubleheader also doubles as a Club Day Out, with junior cricketers encouraged to attend and support the Auckland sides. Kids wearing their Auckland cricket club shirt will receive free entry, creating a family friendly atmosphere as the Super Smash action unfolds.

Live coverage of the HEARTS v Blaze match begins at 12.40pm on TVNZ+ and DUKE, followed by the ACES v Firebirds clash at 4.25pm.

Super Smash matches
Auckland HEARTS vs Wellington Blaze | 12.40pm
Auckland ACES vs Wellington Firebirds | 4.25pm
Friday 2 January 2026

Auckland HEARTS squad:

Olivia Anderson - Takapuna
Bella Armstrong - Cornwall
Prue Catton - Auckland University
Lauren Down - Takapuna
Maddy Green - Cornwall
Izzy Gaze - Takapuna
Brooke Halliday - Howick Pakuranga
Amie Hucker - Cornwall
Bree Illing - Cornwall
Ayaan Lambat - Howick Pakuranga
Josie Penfold - Howick Pakuranga
Molly Penfold - Howick Pakuranga

Unavailable due to injury: N/A

Auckland ACES squad:

Adi Ashok - Suburbs New Lynn
Sid Dixit - Cornwall
Cam Fletcher - Suburbs New Lynn
Rohit Gulati - Papatoetoe
Martin Guptill - Suburbs New Lynn
Ryan Harrison - East Coast Bays
Harjot Johal - Eden Roskill
Bevon Jacobs - Hibiscus Coast
Angus Olliver - Auckland University
Dale Phillips - Howick Pakuranga
Sean Solia - Suburbs New Lynn
Lachie Stackpole - Howick Pakuranga

Unavailable due to injury: Mark Chapman, Ben Lister, Simon Keene, Jock McKenzie, Jordan Sussex.

Article added: Wednesday 31 December 2025