Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Final countdown

Posted Saturday, 21 February, 2026 in Domestic News

Northern Districts and Wellington Blaze are about to square off in what promises to be an unmissable contest for the 2025/26 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.

Hear what respective captains Jess Watkin and Georgia Plimmer have to say ahead of a potentitally history-making showdown at the Cello Basin Reserve this Saturday.

JESS WATKIN

• First Final as Northern Districts captain

• Hit the fastest 50 in the history of the competition this season

"I'm pretty excited for the 'girls'.

"It's been a long time since ND's been in a final, so a lot of the girls are fizzing and really proud of the group.

"I think we've had a pretty dominant season, but we've also pulled ourselves back from different situations.

"What I'm most proud of about this group is that we've had different people step up every game, so it's been a full-team performance, and we're not looking to rely on a couple players to do the job.

"I think that's the testament to the hard work that the group's put in over the off-season, even over the last few years, to get to where we are now.

Nensi Patel | PHOTOSPORT

"A major one is Nensi Patel. Three fifties in a row in the last three rounds, from none to three. She's added positivity into our middle order and she's good with the ball.

"Kayley Knight, she's bowled very well all season. I think here at the Basin she should go well, so I'm excited to see how they both go.

"They're always big-game players, and they're always in the fight. There are a few key wickets that we've got to take but I think if we just keep doing our skills well, then we might push the Blaze - but definitely they're a pretty strong side, so we've got to play our best."

GEORGIA PLIMMER

• First Final as Wellington Blaze captain

"For us as a team in 'HBJ' cricket this year, we've been through some ups and downs so it's been awesome to come through and win some valuable games through the season, and pretty exciting to now be in the Final.

"I think 50 overs and T20s are starting to become a little more similar in the way that you want to go about them.

"Coming off the Super Smash, a big thing that we talked about within our team was how everyone contributes; it wasn't just the one or two players whom it might have been in the past.

"To have lots of people contributing at different times and standing up - I think we've now seen that in our HBJ as well.

"A lot of our younger players have been able to take the ball at times in tough situations. With the batting as well, in tough times they've stood up so it's been pretty cool to watch that.

Xara Jetly | PHOTOSPORT

"Xara Jetly's probably been up there with some of the best Domestic bowlers for the last couple of years now, but I think the way that she's been able to add some batting into her game as well has been massive.

"Our order has changed around a bit in this HBJ campaign, so for her to be able to slide up and down the order, she's been awesome with that - at just being able to take the opportunity.

"Obviously Xara's bowling's very reliable, and I think most importantly her fielding actually does a lot for us, too.

The way that she creates pressure - I feel like she's been really great with that as well."

"Northern has been pretty dominant this whole season and I think coming off the Super Smash as well, their last few games, just watching them you can see how confident they are.

"They back their skills as well, so I think it's going to be a really exciting game - the brand that they play is exciting, as well.

"It's going to be a tough game, but a good-to-watch game. The Wellington crowd really loves women's cricket, as we saw during the Super Smashes.

"It'd be pretty awesome if they could come down on hopefully a sunny Saturday to come and support us as a one-day team as well."