Rain causes disastrous opening day to Super Smash season

Rain has had a major impact on the opening day of the Super Smash with the Women’s game between the Northern Brave and the Auckland Hearts being a no result whilst the Men’s game between the Brave and Aces was abandoned without a ball bowled.

Northern Brave (W) vs Auckland Hearts:

In a game that was only 12 overs long due to an hour long rain delay and then the eventual calling off of the game, there was still time for some notable performances, particularly by the Auckland bowlers.

Bree Illing showed her class with the ball early on, grabbing Northern’s captain Jess Watkin in the second over for five. On her T20 debut, Yaz Kareem struck a fine four of Illing first ball to kick start her career.

Unfortunately the stroke making and debut was cut short for Kareem as she tried to take on Maddy Green down the ground but was run out for six.

Molly Penfold and Illing soon had another wicket each as the Brave fell to 34/4 inside the powerplay. Young opener Tash Wakelin fell to Penfold for nine and Nensi Patel tried to take on Illing but was bowled for three.

Some fightback was brought by Eve Wolland and the experienced Caitlin Gurrey, however, a rain delay for over an hour led to a reduced 12 over per side game.

With just over three overs left in their innings, Northern had to try and push on for some runs, being 47/4.

Fran Jonas came back into the attack for her second over and struck twice in two balls with Gurrey bowled for 15 and Amanda-Jade Wellington trapped leg before.

Wicket-keeper Holly Topp and Wolland took their side through to 67/7 from the 12 overs with their 13 run stand being the joint second highest of Northern’s innings.

The duckworth lewis system left Auckland with a target of 69 from 12 overs, but the rain came back to Seddon Park and forced the game into being called off and both sides required to take two points from their opening fixture.

Northern next play against Wellington at Seddon Park on New Years Day whilst Auckland travel down to Alexandra to play Otago at Molyneux Park.

Northern Brave (M) vs Auckland Aces:

The match between the Brave Men and the Auckland Aces was abandoned without a ball bowled due to persistent rain.