Ellyse Perry Set for Blaze Debut, Blundell Returns for Firebirds

Captains Melie Kerr and Nick Kelly get set to open their respective Super Smash campaigns tomorrow in Hamilton as the Blaze and Firebirds both welcome international firepower to their ranks.

The Blaze’s recent International Signing, Ellyse Perry, looks set to play a role for the Blaze in Hamilton, featuring in a 12-strong squad named today. Melie and Jess Kerr also return from international duty, having featured in the Rose Bowl squad that played in Wellington earlier in the month.

Batters Hannah Francis and Sam MacKinder could also make their Super Smash debuts tomorrow for the Blaze, with Francis featuring prominently in the HBJ Shield this season, while MacKinder would make her Wellington debut.

WHITE FERN Georgia Plimmer is unavailable due to injury, as she continues her rehab plan from a groin injury which has kept her out of action for Wellington so far this season.

Sophie Devine is unavailable for the first three matches as part of her workload management plan.

The Firebirds also welcome back an international, with Tom Blundell available for selection following a hefty test match schedule over the past three months for the BLACKCAPS.

Firebirds fans will be familiar with the rest of the squad which has featured strongly through the early parts of the 2024/25 campaign, led by captain Nick Kelly.

Pace bowlers James Hartshorn and Liam Dudding are in line for potential Super Smash debuts for Wellington tomorrow, both featuring well for the Firebirds in the Plunket Shield and Ford Trophy competitions this season.

BLACKCAPS Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Michael Bracewell, and Nathan Smith are unavailable due to being in the white ball squads currently facing Sri Lanka.

Watch our Super Smash season opener live and free on TVNZ Duke or online at TVNZ+ from 12:40pm tomorrow, January 1st 2025.

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

Wellington Blaze

Melie Kerr (c)

Rebecca Burns

Kate Chandler

Natasha Codyre

Hannah Francis*

Xara Jetly

Leigh Kasperek

Caitlin King

Jess Kerr

Sam MacKinder*

Jess McFadyen

Ellyse Perry*

*denotes possible Wellington T20 debut

Wellington Firebirds

Nick Kelly (c)

Muhammad Abbas

Tom Blundell

Liam Dudding*

Nick Greenwood

James Hartshorn*

Troy Johnson

Iain McPeake

Gareth Severin

Jesse Tashkoff

Logan van Beek

Peter Younghusband

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