Devine Returns for Final-Bound Blaze, Sears & Milne Rejoin Firebirds

The Spotlight Reporting Wellington Blaze will be bolstered by the return of WHITE FERN Sophie Devine, who is returning to the squad following a wellbeing break.

Devine’s return to the side provides Head Coach Lance Dry with a wealth of options for his lineup, now with all four WHITE FERNS-contracted players available for selection as the team looks towards the finals.

With a win at home last time out, the Blaze booked their ticket to the Grand Final, going six points clear atop the Super Smash ladder with one game to play.

Although a finals berth is secured, Georgia Plimmer knows that T20 cricket is a momentum-based game.

“We want to stamp our mark on the competition and go into the finals with a bit of momentum”, said Plimmer.

“We know how good the Magicians are and how many class players they have, including their overseas players, so we won’t be taking anything for granted.”

The Blaze will be in the limelight on Wellington Anniversary Day, as Cricket Wellington celebrates S’PORT round, celebrating women in sport.

Raising the profile of women in sport is central to the S’PORT initiative, celebrating the progress made and looking forward to a more equitable sporting future.

The corresponding move for Devine’s inclusion will see Gemma Sims come out of tomorrow’s matchday squad. Caitlin King is unavailable for selection due to an injury.

The Firebirds welcome back BLACKCAPS Adam Milne and Ben Sears ahead of their final Round Robin matchup on Anniversary Day, bringing international experience and a ton of pace to the Firebirds.

Gareth Severin is also brought into the squad, the young batsman in line for a potential debut should he be selected in the Playing XI.

The pace pair have performed well against Pakistan in the recent T20i series, including both taking some of the biggest wickets in world cricket in Rizwan and Babar.

Taking on Canterbury in their final round robin match, the Firebirds have not officially clinched a playoff berth yet, though a strong Net Run Rate puts them in pole position to secure a spot in the top-three, even if they don’t beat Canterbury tomorrow.

It’s not all returnees for the Firebirds, as Rachin Ravindra has been called up to the national side for the final T20i in Christchurch today and is unavailable for selection.

Nick Greenwood and Iain McPeake are not included in the squad, making way for the two BLACKCAPS pacemen to join the side.

Tom Blundell and Tim Robinson are unavailable for selection due to injuries and are hopeful to make returns should the Firebirds get into the elimination rounds.

Round 10 of the Dream11 Super Smash for the Firebirds and Blaze will take place tomorrow as they face the Canterbury Kings and Magicians at the Cello Basin Reserve on Monday 22nd January 2023. The Spotlight Reporting Wellington Blaze are up first with a 12:30pm start before the Firebirds take the field for a 4pm first ball. The game will stream live on TVNZ+ and TVNZ Duke.

Spotlight Reporting Wellington Blaze | Dream11 Super Smash Round 10 | Cello Basin Reserve

Amelia Kerr (C)

Leigh Kasperek (VC)

Nicole Baird

Rebecca Burns

Kate Chandler

Natasha Codyre

Sophie Devine

Jess Kerr

Jess McFadyen

Georgia Plimmer

Monique Rees

Xara Jetly

Wellington Firebirds | Dream11 Super Smash Round 10 | Cello Basin Reserve

Nick Kelly (C)

Muhammad Abbas

Michael Bracewell

Troy Johnson

Adam Milne

Callum McLachlan

Ben Sears

Gareth Severin* (potential debut)

Nathan Smith

Jesse Tashkoff

Logan van Beek

Pete Younghusband

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