Three uncapped players have been named for the first Central Hinds Dream11 Super Smash match of the summer tomorrow afternoon in Hamilton, and among them is an exciting new signing: UK star HOLLIE ARMITAGE.

The Yorkshire, Northern Diamonds and Northern Superchargers captain brings a wealth of match-winning experience to the fresh-look T20 squad that also features uncapped Wairarapa schoolgirl batting sensation EMMA MCLEOD, with another experienced matchwinner in former Wellington Blaze champion THAMSYN NEWTON also in the frame to make her Hinds T20 debut tomorrow.

The support of John Turkington Forestry enabled Central Districts Cricket to secure Armitage’s services as an overseas player who packs plenty of big match clout after a decade-long career.

Armitage has starred for the Sydney Sixers in Australia’s WBBL and Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, as well as having led the Northern Diamonds to their first title - having lifted England’s one-day Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in 2022, a campaign during which she posted a career-best unbeaten 131* against Western Storm.

Armitage also recently represented England A against India A, smashing 52 off just 41 balls in the first T20 A International at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, and is now looking forward to her first experience of a New Zealand summer.

Armitage played the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL | PHOTOSPORT

Says Armitage, “It was long trip over [from the UK] but, touch wood, I’m feeling OK. It’s been a lot hotter than what England is at the minute, but I also recently came back from India so compared to India, it’s OK!

“I’m really excited to be a part of the Hinds this season.

"I’ve heard a lot of good things about both New Zealand and the Dream11 Super Smash, and I’m looking forward to exploring a beautiful country over the next six weeks.

“I met a few of the players when I arrived, the ones based in Hawke’s Bay where I landed. Hopefully we can have a successful and exciting campaign, performing on the park together and winning some good games of cricket.”

Central Districts CEO LANCE HAMILTON said it was exciting times for the Hinds.

“With several opposing teams bringing in overseas stars this season, it’s exciting for us to also be a position to contract a very dynamic player who will bring a fresh perspective, firepower and energy to the squad.

“John Turkington Forestry continues to be an amazing supporter of women’s cricket in our region, and we’re thankful to have such a dedicated partner behind our female game.”

Armitage said she was enjoying learn more about the Central Districts region, looking forward to seeing more of it when the team hits Palmerston North on 27 December and New Plymouth on 29 and 30 December, and was impressed by what the far-flung region achieves.

“I’ve just started to understand what the CD region looks like, and I think for this team to still perform on the field while not seeing each other in between actually shows what a good group you have got.

“To come together the day before a game like the Hinds do, and perform, that’s good.”

The right-handed batter and leg-spinner feels genuinely privileged to meanwhile be in a position to step into the squad.

“Growing up, being a professional cricketer was something that I wanted to be, but the opportunity didn’t exist, to begin with.

“Then contracts came in, and getting a Domestic contract in England was something I worked very hard for. Now I feel very privileged to be in the position I’m in — being able to see a bit of the world, meet some amazing people and hopefully help teams to win games. It’s special job to have.”

The Hinds take the field from 2PM in Hamilton and at its conclusion the Central Stags will be playing under lights in their first T20 of the season, against their big rivals from across the border.

In Stags news, the diamond DOUG BRACEWELL has returned from a knee injury, and the allrounder will play as a batsman only in the Dream11 Super Smash clash against the defending men’s champion Northern Brave from 5.30PM, while his knee continues to strengthen.

Allrounder JOEY FIELD is also back fully fit for his first Stags match since last summer’s shoulder surgery, having performed well this month for the New Zealand XI against Bangladesh that opened the current international tour.

Regular white-ball skipper TOM BRUCE remains on the comeback trail from a hernia operation so experienced wicketkeeper DANE CLEAVER continues to deputise in his absence, while former Central Stags overseas player BEN SMITH makes his debut in this round as the squad’s T20 Head Coach, with GLENN POCKNALL assisting.

The Stags have named two uncapped players, young Manawatū talent CURTIS HEAPHY looking to add his first T20 cap to his first-class and List A caps, and fellow top order batter JACK BOYLE also in the frame to play his first T20 for the Stags.

Boyle previously played 20 games for the Canterbury Kings, with a career best of 69 not out.

Two top-class Hawke’s Bay left-arm spinners also feature in the squad, AJAZ PATEL and last summer’s Stags Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year, JAYDEN LENNOX.

After starting the campaign on the road, the Stags and Hinds will head home for a string of holiday season doubleheaders, playing in Palmerston North on 27 December and New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park 29 and 30 December.

The Stags and Hinds will also each take a turn playing under lights at McLean Park on 8 and 10 January, with tickets to all games at www.cdcricket.co.nz

Both T20s tomorrow at Seddon Park are live on free to air TVNZ+ / TVNZ Duke, with livescoring here at www.cdcricket.co.nz

ROUND 1

SEDDON PARK, HAMILTON

Friday, 22 December 2023

2PM • Central Hinds v Northern Brave women

5.30PM • Central Stags v Northern Brave men

Both matches live and free to air on TVNZ+

CENTRAL HINDS

Natalie Dodd — captain, wicketkeeper, Taranaki

Hannah Rowe — vice-captain, Manawatū 

Hollie Armitage (uncapped) — Overseas Player

Georgia Atkinson — Manawatū 

Flora Devonshire — Hawke’s Bay

Claudia Green — Nelson

Mikaela Greig  — Manawatū 

Ashtuti Kumar — Manawatū

Emma McLeod  (uncapped) — Wairarapa

Rosemary Mair — Hawke’s Bay

Thamsyn Newton (uncapped)  — Hawke’s Bay

Kerry Tomlinson — Hawke’s Bay

Head Coach — Jacob Oram

Assistant Coach — Deepak Joon

CENTRAL STAGS

Dane Cleaver — captain, wicketkeeper, Manawatū 

Jack Boyle (uncapped) — Hawke’s Bay

Doug Bracewell — Hawke’s Bay

Will Clark — Hawke’s Bay

Liam Dudding — Hawke’s Bay

Joey Field — Hawke’s Bay

Curtis Heaphy (uncapped) — Manawatū 

Jayden Lennox — Hawke’s Bay

Ajaz Patel — Hawke’s Bay

Bevan Small — Manawatū 

Blair Tickner — Hawke’s Bay

Bayley Wiggins — Hawke’s Bay

Head Coach —  Ben F. Smith

Assistant Coach — Glenn Pocknall

Contracted players unavailable for selection

Will Young, Josh Clarkson - BLACKCAPS v Bangladesh ODI Series

Tom Bruce - injury

Brett Randell - injury

Article added: Thursday 21 December 2023