January 29, 2025 1:00 PM
Published by Cricket Wellington
Tomorrow’s final doubleheader of the Round Robin campaign will prove pivotal for both the Firebirds and Blaze as their fates for finals weekend are still undecided. The Cello Basin Reserve will play host to a high-stakes doubleheader which will set up the weekend’s action nicely.
For the Firebirds, it’s “win and you’re in” following Canterbury’s win yesterday, meaning they would qualify on NRR with any win tomorrow. While finishing atop the table is no longer a possibility, they could still finish in second place if results fall their way. Any other result than a win would send the Firebirds packing.
The side will be bolstered by the return of Logan van Beek as the seamer will rejoin the team after a hamstring niggle kept him out of Monday’s fixture in Auckland. James Hartshorn will exit to make room in the twelve-man squad.
Tim Robinson remains unavailable for selection following a shoulder concern and will likely miss the remainder of the Super Smash season.
The Blaze’s situation is less precarious than that of their fellow Wellingtonians, as they would qualify to Sunday’s Grand Final with any win tomorrow, as they would go top of the table on NRR. If there is no result or the Blaze lose the fixture, they will be sent to the Elimination Final at the Cello Basin Reserve on Saturday, where they’ll have to compete for their spot in the Grand Final.
Xara Jetly is out injured following a hand injury sustained off her own bowling in the last fixture, with WHITE FERNS Georgia Plimmer and Leigh Kasperek also still unavailable.
Rachel Bryant comes into the squad for a potential debut in what is a like-for-like switch with Jetly.
Watch our Super Smash Round 10 doubleheader and free on TVNZ Duke or online at TVNZ+ from 12:40pm tomorrow, January 30th 2025.
The Wellington Firebirds and Blaze for Round 10 of the Super Smash are:
Wellington Blaze
Melie Kerr (c)
Nicole Baird
Maitlan Brown
Rachel Bryant*
Rebecca Burns
Natasha Codyre
Hannah Darlington
Caitlin King
Jess Kerr
Sam MacKinder
Jess McFadyen
Gemma Sims
Wellington Firebirds
Nick Kelly (c)
Muhammad Abbas
Michael Bracewell
Tom Blundell
Rachin Ravindra
Ben Sears
Gareth Severin
Nathan Smith
Michael Snedden
Jesse Tashkoff
Logan van Beek
Peter Younghusband
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