Day-Night Fixture a First for Domestic Women

The Spotlight Reporting Wellington Blaze travel with a 13-strong squad to Hamilton today as they prepare to take on Northern Districts in rounds 3 & 4 of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.

Rachel Bryant, Wellington U19 Women’s captain, is the lone addition to the squad of twelve that opened the summer last weekend at the Cello Basin Reserve. Bryant debuted for the Blaze late last year, making her mark just two weeks after her 18th birthday.

Saturday’s Round 3 matchup will see the Blaze and Northern Districts play a day-night List A match, which will be a first in New Zealand.

HBJ Campaign Head Coach Luke Woodcock noted this is a key step in preparing athletes for the next level.

“The inclusion of day-night fixtures not only adds another dimension to the game but also mirrors the conditions our players are likely to face on the international stage,” said Woodcock.

“It's a crucial step in preparing our domestic cricketers for the realities of elite competition.”

“Embracing these challenges will undoubtedly enhance our team's adaptability skills, contributing to the overall growth of women's cricket in our nation."

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Woodcock has also been included in the New Zealand XI setup that will play Pakistan in two warmup games next week, joining the squad as an Assistant Coach.

The players were announced yesterday, with Leigh Kasperek and Georgia Plimmer joining from Wellington. Leigh Kasperek will captain the New Zealand XI.

The Spotlight Reporting Wellington Blaze will play Northern Districts in Round 3 and 4 of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 November 2023.

Saturday’s Day-Night fixture will begin at 2:30pm, while Sunday will have a more standard 10:30am start. Scoring and livestreaming is available on NZC’s website.

WELLINGTON BLAZE | HBJ SHIELD ROUNDS 3-4 vs NORTHERN DISTRICTS | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 25-26 November 2023

Leigh Kasperek (c)

Nicole Baird

Rebecca Burns

Rachel Bryant

Kate Chandler

Natasha Codyre

Xara Jetly

Caitlin King

Jess McFadyen (wk)

Georgia Plimmer

Monique Rees

Gemma Sims

Phoenix Williams

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