Unchanged squads have been named for both the Central Stags and Hinds who head into the second of three Napier Dream11 Super Smash doubleheaders today at McLean Park.

The teams suffered contrasting fortunes in Wednesday's twin T20s against Auckland, the Stags powering to an eight-wicket win over the Auckland Aces to hold second spot on the men’s table - just two points behind the Otago Volts whom they will overtake to reclaim top spot if they win again tonight, against the Kings.

The Hinds were meanwhile heartbroken by a last-over loss to the strong Auckland Hearts, falling short in their biggest chase of the season by just nine runs.

The Hinds will again be without star WHITE FERNS seamer and Hawke’s Bay local ROSEMARY MAIR for today's clash with the Canterbury Magicians, as Mair recovers from an elbow injury picked up in the fifth round - with JESS OGDEN in the frame for a T20 debut.

With the top three sides after 10 rounds proceeding to the Wellington finals in a fortnight’s time, it’s the Stags who are carrying Central’s hopes, after four wins from six games.

Coach BEN SMITH said the class eight-wicket win against the Auckland Aces was the most complete performance yet from the team this summer.

“I think it’s fair to say we dominated a good side with both bat and ball, and there’s no better way than that to bounce back from what happened in Palmerston North where we didn’t fire. 

“We’ve had some good wins already in this campaign, but I thought that one was next level.”

Local Hawke’s Bay’s representatives played a lead role in both facets of the contest, after captain TOM BRUCE won the toss and bowled.

Left-arm spinner JAYDEN LENNOX had a major impact with the ball, conceding just 10 runs off his four overs and claiming three wickets, including bowling clean-striking IPL signing Bevon Jacobs for a duck.

His Napier Tech teammate TOBY FINDLAY had already accounted for the Aces’ opening duo, the 21-year-old rookie paceman’s first two wickets in the Dream11 Super Smash stopping the dangerous pair of Simon Keene and Will O'Donnell.

Chasing a middling 139/8 should not have been a threat to the Stags on this season’s form, and opener JACK BOYLE made sure of it.

The Central Hawke’s Bay batter blasted a career best T20 score yet again this season, an unbeaten 82 off just 60 balls, bringing home the win with 2.4 overs to spare to boost the Stags’ net run rate as well.

Boyle is the leading runscorer nationally in the competition with 266 runs at a 53.20 average, followed by captain Bruce’s 234 runs at 78.00.

Tonight's match under lights at McLean Park will likely pit the elder Boyle brother against younger sibling Matt, who plays for the Canterbury Kings and is likewise in the best T20 form of his career this season.

Gates open at 1.10pm ahead of the Central Hinds match against the Canterbury Magicians, with the Stags and Kings set to start at 5.55pm. Tickets are available at the gate or at www.cdcricket.co.nz

Article added: Friday 17 January 2025