Otago Sparks vs Auckland Hearts, WSS_T20, Today Match Prediction 29 December 2024

OS-W vs ADH-W Match Prediction & Analysis

We are in the third game of the Women's Super Smash 2024-25. The Otago Sparks will look to regain their form as they take on the Auckland Hearts. The Sparks lost to the Canterbury Magicians in their first game, and the side will look to improve its performance. The Hearts shared points with Northern Brave Women as rain played spoilsport in their last game. 

The Otago Sparks have a good record against the Auckland Hearts. The Sparks have won four times in the last five matches between the two teams, making them confident. The Auckland Hearts won only two games last season, and the team struggled with its form. Both teams will play hard cricket in this game, and we expect a close contest. 

RECENT PERFORMANCE

OS-W

L

OS-W

125/7 in 20.0 6.25

WSS_T20

Canterbury Magicians beat Otago Sparks by 12 runs 27 Dec 2024

CM-W

137/7 in 20.0 6.85

ADH-W

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Otago Sparks Preview

Hayley Jensen has started the season with a loss. The Sparks skipper will be upset with her team's batters as they failed to chase an easy total against the Canterbury Magicians. They lost the game by 12 runs and shall look to make a strong comeback. They have a good record against the Auckland Hearts, and Jensen would like her players to take inspiration from past results. 

Suzie Bates is the most experienced batter in the team and did well in the last game. Bates must deliver a strong start with Bella James. The middle order fared poorly against the Magicians, and the team expects Felicity Leydon-Davis, Caitlin Blakely, and Polly Inglis to do well. Olivia Gain and Hayley Jensen must deliver a strong show in the lower middle order. 

Emma Black and Hayley Jensen did well in the last game with the new ball, and the team expects a similar show at the start. Kirstie Gordon and Eden Carson will aim to keep the scoring rate under check in the middle overs. The team also expects a good show from Molly Loe and Suzie Bates in the ing role. 

Otago Sparks Predicted Playing XI:

Hayley Jensen (c), Suzie Bates, Bella James, Felicity Leydon-Davis, Caitlin Blakely, Polly Inglis (wk), Olivia Gain, Kirstie Gordon, Eden Carson, Emma Black, Molly Loe

Otago Sparks Actual Playing XI:

Caitlin Blakely, Olivia Gain, Suzie Bates, Anna Browning, Felicity Leydon-Davis, Bella James, Polly Inglis, Eden Carson, Emma Black, Hayley Jensen, Kirstie Gordon

Auckland Hearts Preview

Maddy Green would like to see her team make a strong start to their campaign. They struggled last season, finishing at the bottom of the points table with two wins in ten games. A good start will be crucial for the team, and Green must lead from the front and take her side to victory. 

Isabella Gaze and Saachi Shahri will look to lay a strong platform with a big partnership for the first wicket. Maddy Green is the most experienced batter in this team, and she must do well in the middle order with Prue Catton and Brooke Halliday. Bella Armstrong, Lauren Down, and Josie Penfold must do well in the finishers' role. 

The bowling attack is weak for the team. Molly Penfold must use her experience to make early breakthroughs with Bree Illing. Fran Jonas will have a crucial role in the middle overs and must do well with Brooke Halliday. Josie Penfold and Bella Armstrong will look to do well in the ing role. 

Auckland Hearts Predicted Playing XI:

Maddy Green (c), Isabella Gaze (wk), Saachi Shahri, Prue Catton, Brooke Halliday, Josie Penfold, Molly Penfold, Lauren Down, Fran Jonas, Bree Illing, Bella Armstrong

Auckland Hearts Actual Playing XI:

Bella Armstrong, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Prue Catton, Saachi Shahri, Brooke Halliday, Josie Penfold, Isabella Gaze, Bree Illing, Fran Jonas, Molly Penfold

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There are predictions for cloudy skies over Alexandra. The surface will be challenging for the batters as the ball will move a lot off the surface. Bowlers will enjoy these conditions with the new ball. The average first-inning score is 131 runs, and the team batting first would like to have 150 on the board. 

OS-W vs ADH-W Pitch Report

The pitch at Molyneux Park, Alexandra, is good for the bowlers. Batters have found the conditions challenging at this venue as the ball does a lot off the surface. Spinners have struggled at this venue as the wicket doesn't allow them to grip and turn the ball. 

Toss: To Bowl

We saw a tough wicket in the last game where the batters struggled to time the ball. Bowlers have an edge on this track in the early overs, and the conditions improve as the game progresses. The side winning the toss would like to bowl first.