Northern Brave vs Wellington Blaze, WSS_T20, Today Match Prediction

NBW-W vs WB-W Match Prediction & Analysis

After four matches of the 2024/25 Women's Super Smash, Northern Brave and last year's winners Wellington Blaze go head to head at Seddon Park, Hamilton on New Year's Day.

For Northern Brave, this gives them a second opportunity to get their campaign underway after their opener against Auckland Hearts saw only 12 overs bowled and ended as a no-result.

For Wellington Blaze, who got their hands on the trophy last season in spite of being bowled out for 89 in the Grand Final, this gives them the chance to put down a marker and show the tournament they have no intention of giving up the crown.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

NBW-W

WB-W

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Northern Brave Preview

It was a strange opening game of the season for Northern Brave with the match eventually ending as a no-result after they had batted for 12 of their allotted overs. In that time, they lost seven wickets with no one hitting an individual score of more than 15 so there will need to be much better application from the batters in this game.

They do look a little short of quality at the top of the order and many pundits think that will prevent them from finishing in the top four places this season.

With the ball, they look a lot stronger, and Australian leg-break spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington is likely to be a tough bowler to face, particularly as she took 3/48 in her last appearance.

Northern Brave Predicted Playing XI:

Jess Watkin (c), Tash Wakelin, Yasmeen Kareem, Caitlin Gurrey, Nensi Patel, Eve Wolland, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Holly Topp (wk), Carol Agafili, Marama Downes, Shriya Naidu

Northern Brave Actual Playing XI:

Caitlin Gurrey, Yasmeen Kareem, Eve Wolland, Jess Watkin, Nensi Patel, Holly Topp, Carol Agafili, Marama Downes, Shriya Naidu, Amanda Jade Wellington, Chamari Atapattu

Wellington Blaze Preview

Not only do Wellington Blaze come into this game looking to retain the title they so proudly won last season, but their side also includes some of the successful White Ferns who lifted the Women's T20 World Cup trophy a few months ago. As a result, confidence in this format is likely to be flowing through the players and they will take some beating on New Year's Day.

With the bat, we can expect one of Sophie Devine, skipper Amelia Kerr, Georgia Plimmer and Leigh Kasparek to provide the bulk of the runs and all will look to score at a quick rate.

With the ball, Kerr and Devine will also be key, as will Jess Kerr who we expect to take the new ball. There is plenty of variety in the bowling attack and that will be key for Blaze.

Wellington Blaze Predicted Playing XI:

Sophie Devine, Rebecca Burns, Amelia Kerr (c), Georgia Plimmer, Leigh Kasperek, Kate Chandler, Jess Kerr, Jessica McFadyen (wk), Natasha Codyre, Nicole Baird, Xara Jetly

Wellington Blaze Actual Playing XI:

Caitlin King, Kate Chandler, Rebecca Burns, Amelia Kerr, Hannah Francis, Leigh Kasperek, Jessica McFadyen, Jess Kerr, Natasha Codyre, Xara Jetly, Ellyse Perry

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The temperature is forecast to be in the low-mid twenties across this game in Hamilton. There will be some cloud cover with the humidity levels no higher than 55% but we are not expecting any rain.

NBW-W vs WB-W Pitch Report

Getting the ball through the in-field and timing it to the fence could be tough during the early exchanges when there could still be some moisture in this surface. Whoever bats first will be looking to post at least 120 to be competitive.

Toss: To Bowl

Seddon Park is a pitch where the the ball tends to come onto the bat quicker as a T20 game proceeds and we expect that both skippers will want to bowl first.