Ben Sears Returns From Injury, Blaze Make Three Swaps

BLACKCAPS seamer Ben Sears is set to play his first game since a knee injury which has kept him out of action since last April’s T20i Tour of Pakistan.

The fast-bowling Sears is the lone addition to the Firebirds squad on the eve of our home opener at the Cello Basin Reserve.

After traveling with a 13-man squad for the Round 2 matchup in Nelson, two players have made room in the matchday squad, with seamers Iain McPeake and Liam Dudding the two changes from last round.

The Firebirds took a good win over the Stags in Nelson and will be looking to double-up against the same opponent to open their home schedule.

Last round’s debutant, James Hartshorn, is again included in the squad following his record 5/24 figures, the best-ever for a Firebird in the shortest format.

The Blaze have welcomed three new players to the squad, as spinners Nicole Baird and Rachel Bryant and batter Gemma Sims have all been included in the 12 for gameday.

Three outgoing players, Australian International Ellyse Perry and NZ U19 Representatives Kate Chandler and Hanah Francis are all scheduled for national duty.

Potential Wellington T20 debuts for Sam MacKinder and Rachel Bryant on the Cello Basin Reserve tomorrow.

Watch our Super Smash Round 3 doubleheader and free on TVNZ Duke or online at TVNZ+ from 12:40pm tomorrow, January 9th 2025.

The Wellington Firebirds and Blaze for Round 1 of the Super Smash are:

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Wellington Blaze

Melie Kerr (c)

Nicole Baird

Rachel Bryant*

Rebecca Burns

Natasha Codyre

Xara Jetly

Leigh Kasperek

Caitlin King

Jess Kerr

Sam MacKinder*

Jess McFadyen

Gemma Sims

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Wellington Firebirds

Nick Kelly (c)

Muhammad Abbas

Tom Blundell

Nick Greenwood

James Hartshorn

Troy Johnson

Ben Sears

Gareth Severin

Tim Robinson

Jesse Tashkoff

Logan van Beek

Peter Younghusband

*denotes possible Wellington T20 debut

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