2023/24 Super Smash Scout: All Things Wellington
For the third Super Smash game day in a row, the away team enjoyed two wins over their hosts after Wellington did the double against Central Districts in Napier. Wellington Blaze defeated Central Hinds thanks to a fabulous performance from Amelia Kerr, while the Firebirds enjoyed standard mahi from Nathan Smith and Michael Bracewell along with a Super Smash breakout from Muhammad Abbas.
Hinds batted first and scored 131/4 as Hannah Rowe showed her class with 43 runs @ 110sr, plus Mikaela Greig added a sneaky knock of 22 runs @ 137sr. Three of Wellington's four spinners took a wicket included A-Kerr who was the most economical Blaze bowler with 1w @ 4rpo. A-Kerr then took command of the chase with 60* @ 120sr with another nifty supporting knock from Georgia Plimmer (43* @ 110sr).
Rowe is having a lovely batting campaign and she is now one of seven wahine with 100+ runs in Super Smash, leading CD for runs. Greig is also an intriguing batter as she is still in the 100+ strike-rates across Super Smash and HBJ Shield mix.
A-Kerr and Plimmer are top-five for runs this season...
Amelia Kerr: 178 runs @ 44avg/127sr
Georgia Plimmer: 119 runs @ 119avg/104sr
A-Kerr is the only batter with 70+ runs and a strike-rate over 120. Plimmer has dismissed just once in five innings and she is the only player with at least three not-out innings in Super Smash.
Central Stags also batted first in Napier and put up 158/7 led by Will Young's 50 runs @ 151sr. Smith took 3w @ 6rpo and Logan van Beek snared 2w @ 8.2rpo, while spinners Peter Younghusband and Bracewell were also effective with a wicket each. The Stags bowlers had Wellington 14/2 with Tim Robinson and Devon Conway back in the sheds, then Nick Kelly was dismissed as Bracewell joined Abbas to rebuild their chase.
Abbas worked his way to 72 runs @ 189sr and Bracewell played a leadership role nicely with 41 runs @ 136sr. Both were dismissed though in a flurry of wickets as CD gained momentum via Bevan Small's 4w @ 5.5rpo, but that threat was snuffed out by Smith who whacked 12* @ 300sr to win the game.
Don't box Abbas in as a slugger. It's easy to catch his highlights, peep his strike-rate and think that Abbas is a monster hitter who is only there to crack boundaries. Abbas has more class and is a talented all-round cricketer who has already commanded the spotlight with his Plunket Shield mahi (39.66avg/54sr). Abbas is swift on anything short which is his go-to boundary option and his innings against CD also featured a punchy stroke down the ground to start his innings, as well as a glorious carve over cover later in his knock.
For anyone stressing about the Blackcaps pipeline: Abbas is in his second summer of domestic cricket and has already played for Aotearoa A. There is no shortage of young emerging talent across the blokes and wahine domestic cricket landscape.
There is also a lot of talent at the other end of the spectrum with Bracewell reminding folks of his mature ability. Bracewell last played in June and like Kane Williamson, Bracewell has made a rather freaky return from injury with two solid Super Smash outings...
vs Auckland: 2ov, 1w @ 6rpo | 10 runs @ 166sr
vs CD: 4ov, 1w @ 8rpo | 41 runs @ 136sr
Smith is bagging wickets for a giggle in Plunket Shield and Super Smash, while also flexing his batting ability. As the stats above highlight, Smith has Ford Trophy and Super Smash batting strike-rates over 100. Smith's 111sr in Ford Trophy is the highest for Wellington batters who have batted at least twice and Robinson is Wellington's only Super Smash batter with a higher strike-rate for at least two innings.
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Peace and love.