2022/23 Women's Super Smash: Otago vs Canterbury Elimination Final Preview
After losing both games against Otago last weekend, Canterbury wahine will be eager to bounce back in their Super Smash elimination final on Thursday in Dunedin. Wellington have already cruised into the final and are waiting for the winner of this game with the final locked in for Saturday afternoon.
Kate Anderson and Polly Inglis carry lovely form into this fixture, scoring runs in both games last weekend. Anderson is Canterbury's best batter and the only batter in either Super Smash to score 400+ runs, bolstered by knocks of 74* @ 104.22sr and 59 runs @ 113.46sr vs Otago. Anderson has eight scores over 20 in her last 10 games and four 50+ scores in her last five games.
Inglis hasn't been as dominant but she has found form late in the season, right after the departure of Suzie Bates. Inglis led the run-chases against Canterbury with 43 runs @ 91.48sr and 47* @ 109.3sr. In her last four games, Inglis has four scores over 30 and while she will offer an attacking presence with funky strokes, Otago have low key firepower around Inglis.
Bella James and Olivia Gain have also found powerful form late in the Super Smash campaign. James had knocks of 36 runs @ 212sr and 23 runs @ 153sr against Canterbury, taking her overall strike-rate to 147. Gain wrapped up the first game against Canterbury with 10* @ 200sr and was then bumped up to open, scoring 28 runs @ 187sr. Gain has an overall strike-rate of 127.
Kate Ebrahim didn't score many runs in the double-banger against Canterbury, yet she is Otago's best player and her competitive mana will be crucial in a finals encounter. Ebrahim joins Bates in being Otago's only batters with 200+ runs and she is tied with Emma Black for the most wickets (11).
Canterbury's best player is Amy Satterthwaite and she is one of three batters who have scored 300+ runs, joining Anderson and Central's Natalie Dodd. While Ebrahim offers nibbly seam, Satterthwaite bowls spin and she also has 11w. Satterthwaite is averaging over 50 with the bat and under 20 with the ball, Ebrahim is a notch below averaging over 30/under 20.
Role-playing batters will be crucial and both teams will need batters to chime in with efficient run-scoring. English import Linsey Smith, Caitlin Blakely and Felicity Leydon-Davis offer steady role-playing experience for Otago. Canterbury have their English import Fran Wilson along with Nat Cox and Laura Hughes.
The best young seamers will be on display in this game as well. 24-year-old Gabby Sullivan is 1st for wickets and 21-year-old Missy Banks is 3rd, both will lace up for Canterbury. 21-year-old Emma Black is 4th for wickets and she leads Otago's bowling unit. Here's how their T20 career records stack up against White Ferns seamer Molly Penfold...
Gabby Sullivan: 16.81avg/6.27rpo
Missy Banks: 20.47avg/7.43rpo
Emma Black: 20.72avg/6.82rpo
Molly Penfold: 40.18avg/6.87rpo
There is also a funky young spinner match up between 22-year-old Sarah Asmussen for Canterbury and 24-year-old Sophie Oldershaw for Otago. Asmussen has 10w @ 23.4avg/6.68rpo this season and Oldershaw has 7w @ 31.4avg/7.41rpo.
Make a donation via Buy Me A Coffee
Join the Niche Cache Patreon whanau to support our kiwi sports content straight up, get a karma boost and find extra podcasts.
Every Monday and Friday we fire off an email newsletter with bonus content. Sign up here!
Peace and love.