Auckland ready for Wellington in Christmas Eve double-header

Auckland ready for Wellington in Christmas Eve double-header
Sunday 23 December 2018
The Burger King Super Smash is underway and it’s heating up! Tomorrow the Auckland Hearts take on the Wellington Blaze, before the Auckland Aces take on the Firebirds at Eden Park Outer Oval.

The Wellington teams have already resumed their Super Smash in Hamilton yesterday – The Blaze beat the Northern Spirit while the Firebirds lost against the Knights.

With the Aces just recently back from playing two matches against BBL team the Hobart Hurricanes, they’re primed and ready for action.

It’s been a novel pre-Super Smash workout after the Plunket Shield for the Aces, with two quick-fire T20 matches against the Hurricanes in Tasmania.

Aces captain Craig Cachopa says the games were a fantastic event.

“It was a really great opportunity, being able to go up against guys like Jofra Archer, D’Arcy Short and George Bailey.”

“We didn’t come up with the result we were looking for, but we pushed them hard. Some people say there’s a big difference between the BBL and the Super Smash, but I think we’re coming close.”

Cachopa is eager to show what his team can do against Wellington.

“The boys are feeling good and they’re keen to start Christmas a bit early with a win tomorrow!”

The Hearts will be playing on the Eden Park Outer Oval as well, in the first double-header for the Auckland teams.

Hearts captain Maddy Green says that she’s looking forward to taking on the defending champions on the main stage.

“I know the team is excited to be able to get out there in front of a home crowd.”

In the opening rounds of the tournament played in Lincoln at the end of October, the Blaze came out ahead of the Hearts by just two runs.

Green says the Hearts are confident of a reversal of fortunes tomorrow.

“The Blaze are always a massive challenge to face, and we know what they are capable of, so we won’t be taking them lightly at all.”

“But the girls have been training and preparing well, and we’re ready to go.”

The Auckland Hearts will face the Wellington Blaze in the Burger King Super Smash at Eden Park Outer Oval tomorrow from 11:45am.

The Auckland Aces will play the Wellington Firebirds immediately afterwards at 3:00pm.

Tickets are available from Ticketek or at the ticket office by Gate J at Eden Park.

Hearts batsman Katie Perkins is collecting non-perishable food items to stock her Pātaka Kai (community pantry) in Manurewa over the holiday period. All donations will be gratefully accepted at the gate.

Auckland Hearts squad to play the Wellington Blaze:
Maddy Green (C)
Bella Armstrong
Skye Bowden
Lauren Down
Holly Huddleston
Arlene Kelly
Tariel Lamb (WK)
Regina Lili’i
Roz McNeill
Katie Perkins
Anna Peterson
Jesse Prasad

Auckland Aces squad to play the Wellington Firebirds:
Craig Cachopa (C)
Mark Chapman
Lockie Ferguson
Donovan Grobbelaar
Martin Guptill
Roneel Hira
Ben Lister
Colin Munro
Robbie O’Donnell
Glenn Phillips (WK)
Matthew Quinn
Will Somerville

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