A New Zealand cricket first in Hamilton and a top-of-the-table clash in Auckland are among exciting items on the menu for the second weekend of the national women's one-day championship, the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.
NZC has introduced day/night matches at the List A women's Domestic level for the first time this summer to better prepare players for international cricket, with Northern Districts set to host the first Hallyburton Johnstone Shield match under lights against defending champion Wellington Blaze at Seddon Park, from 2pm this Saturday, 25 November.
Northern & WHITE FERNS rep, Bernadine Bezuidenhout | PHOTOSPORT
Next month, Northern Districts will also play under lights against the Canterbury Magicians at Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval (Sunday, 10 December) and the Magicians will host the Auckland Hearts under lights at Hagley Oval, Christchurch when the competition resumes on 3 February 2024, following the Dream11 Super Smash window.
Sparks head into Southern derby | PHOTOSPORT
All Hallyburton Johnstone Shield fixtures are livestreamed on NZC YouTube, and this weekend's back-to-back third- and fourth-round clashes will also see the Magicians hosting fast-starting southern rivals the Otago Sparks in Rangiora, while early leaders the Auckland Hearts are heading into a top-of-the-table showdown with the Central Hinds at Kennards Hire Community Oval at Eden Park.
PHOTOSPORT
Having picked up a bonus point in their first win of the season on Sunday against ND, the Hearts hold a one-point advantage over the Hinds who got off to a roaring start by chasing down 208 in a rain-shortened DLS win in Palmerston North in the first round on Saturday.
Hinds off to a flier | PHOTOSPORT
Wet weather affected all six matches on the opening weekend, but cleared for long enough for the Hearts, Hinds, Blaze and Sparks to all pick up their first wins of the season, while Northern Districts and the injury-hit Canterbury Magicians will be hungry to get their first wins on the season.
PHOTOSPORT
Squads for Rounds Three (Saturday, 25 November) and Four (Sunday, 26 November) will be named by noon tomorrow, Friday 24 November.
• Hallyburton Johnstone Shield - history
Points snapshot after two of 10 rounds:
Auckland Hearts 7
Central Hinds 6
Otago Sparks 5
Wellington Blaze 4
Canterbury Magicians 2
Northern Districts 2
Hallyburton Johnstone Shield matches are free admission and livestreamed free at NZC YouTube, from 10.30am (Auckland and Rangiora) and 2pm (Hamilton) this Saturday, while all fourth-round matches will begin at 10.30am on Sunday
Defending champions the Blaze | PHOTOSPORT
