Aces and Hearts feeling positive ahead of Hamilton

The Auckland Aces and Hearts are confident of bouncing back quickly when they take on the Northern Spirit and the Knights in Hamilton tomorrow.

The Aces were on the receiving end of Kings’ bowler Kyle Jamieson’s spell of brilliance on Tuesday, but Aces coach Mark O’Donnell says it’s not something the team have dwelt on in the past few days.

“It just highlights the fact that in T20 one performance can make or break a game. The situation can change extremely quickly – one over and you’re back on top,” says O’Donnell.

The Aces are sticking with the same squad that played against the Kings.

“We have the players who can do the job,” says O’Donnell.

“Our own pace bowlers did very well, they took wickets and were able to put pressure on despite the small total.”

The Aces currently sit third on the Burger King Super Smash table, two points behind the Knights.

The Auckland Hearts were also on the wrong end of the result against the Canterbury Magicians, but remain upbeat.

Hearts coach Dean Flyger says that while they need their top-order batters to fire, the team is anything but down and out.

“We’re not dwelling on the negatives,” says Flyger.

“Obviously we want to put more runs on the board, but we’ve been training well this week, and the team is in a good space.”

“Our focus is on doing the basics well. If we nail those, we’ll get the results we’re looking for.”

Flyger says the Hearts are relishing the opportunity to play on centre stage.

“For a lot of the players Tuesday was the biggest crowd they’ve played in front of, as well as the first time they’ve ever been on TV.”

“It’s exciting to be a part of.”

The Hearts have also made no changes to their squad.

The Auckland Hearts will face the Northern Spirit in the Burger King Super Smash at Seddon Park tomorrow from 12:45pm.
The Auckland Aces will play the Knights immediately afterwards at 4:00pm.

Both games will be broadcast live on Radio Sport.

Auckland Hearts squad to play the Northern Spirit
Maddy Green (C)
Bella Armstrong
Skye Bowden
Lauren Down
Holly Huddleston
Arlene Kelly
Tariel Lamb (WK)
Regina Lilii
Roz McNeill
Katie Perkins
Anna Peterson
Jesse Prasad

Auckland Aces squad to play the Knights
Craig Cachopa (C)
Graeme Beghin
Mark Chapman
Donovan Grobbelaar
Roneel Hira
Ben Lister
Mitchell McClenaghan
Robert O’Donnell
Glenn Phillips (WK)
Matthew Quinn
Sean Solia
Will Somerville
James Vince

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