The CENTRAL HINDS feature strongly in the North Island squad selected for next week's free admission North versus South series - as do plenty of WHITE FERNS.

That's great news for our Nelson cricket family as Stoke's Saxton Oval prepares to host the three-match T20 Series on Thursday 18, Friday 19, and Saturday 20 December, next week.

Before then, the Hinds as a unit will be back in action in Palmerston North this weekend for rounds five and six of the national one-day Hallyburton Johnstone Shield - hot off an outstanding win over the Blaze at the same ground.

The Hinds are just one point behind leaders the Auckland Hearts in the one-day championship, and are getting set to host the injury-hit Otago Sparks at Fitzherbert Park for two more FREE admission games this weekend, with the defending champion Sparks anxious to get a first win.

The Hinds' squad will be named this Friday, but in the meantime we can reveal the teams for the North versus South T20s that will follow.

HANNAH ROWE, ROSEMARY MAIR, FLORA DEVONSHIRE, EMMA McLEOD and KATE GAGING (the Nelson Nyxons keeper on loan from the South, with wicketkeeper Polly Inglis captaining the South Island team) have all been picked for the North Island squad.

All up, there are 16 players with WHITE FERNS experience heading to Saxton Oval and it provides the perfect platform for New Zealand's leading players to sharpen up their T20 skillsets ahead of the Super Smash competition window.

 

The Super Smash kicks off on Boxing Day - and heads to Palmerston North the following day, 27 December, where the Stags and Hinds will be in action for the first time.

With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup just six months away, both competitions are big ones for New Zealand's talented players, as an opportunity to push for selection.

The North Island has won the North v South series both times since its rebirth two years ago, and it's another strong squad for this year’s battle - with the likes of Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold and Georgia Plimmer joining the Hinds' quintet.

Hinds captain Hannah Rowe | PHOTOSPORT

The South meanwhile features WHITE FERNS Lea Tahuhu, Inglis and Bella James in an equally exciting line-up of proven Domestic performers. 

South captain Inglis says the team is eager to take the trophy off North’s hands. 

“We’re hungry to break North’s winning streak,” she said. 

“They won’t be easy to beat, but we’ve got an exciting squad with lots of consistent performers from the Domestic game, so I think we’ve got a good shot this year.” 

North captain and former Central Hind Jess Watkin says the series always ignites a passionate rivalry between the inter-island competitors. 

“There’s certainly a healthy rivalry that comes to the fore when this series rolls around,” she said. 

“We have a lot of experience in our side, so I’m confident if we play our best cricket, the trophy will remain with us.” 

Watkin added that the series serves as a great runway into the Super Smash this season. 

“We’re stoked to have this series [now] in December, not just for the additional playing opportunities, but to get some T20 game time in before the Super Smash gets underway on Boxing Day.”

After the first home games in Palmerston North, the Stags and Hinds will head to Saxton Oval on 3 January for a big holiday season doubleheader against the Canterbury Kings and Magicians - with the Stags-Kings match being a rematch of last summer's men's Grand Final, which the Stags won by six wickets.

Retired WHITE FERNS legend Amy Satterthwaite (North) and current Northern Districts head coach Pete Borren (South) have been appointed the head coaches for the upcoming North v South fixtures, and former WHITE FERNS and current NZC Performance Coaching Course participants Holly Huddleston (North) and Central Hinds alumna Rachel Candy (South) will assist them.

Follow all the HBJ and North v South free livestreams here at www.cdcricket.co.nz

2025 North v South T20 Series

At Saxton Oval, Stoke, Nelson

SCHEDULE

11am | Thursday 18 December 

2pm | Friday 19 December 

11am | Saturday 20 December 

Team: NORTH ISLAND 

Jess Watkin - captain, Northern Brave

Flora Devonshire - Central Hinds

Lauren Down - Auckland Hearts

Kate Gaging - wicketkeeper, Central Hinds

Bree Illing - Auckland Hearts

Xara Jetly - Wellington Blaze 

Fran Jonas - Auckland Hearts

Jess Kerr - Wellington Blaze

Emma McLeod - Central Hinds

Rosemary Mair - Central Hinds

Molly Penfold - Auckland Hearts

Georgia Plimmer - Wellington Blaze

Hannah Rowe - Central Hinds 

Team: SOUTH ISLAND

Polly Inglis - captain, wicketkeeper, Otago Sparks

Kate Anderson - Canterbury Magicians

Missy Banks - Canterbury Magicians

Emma Black - Sparks

Anna Browning - Sparks

Jodie Dean - Canterbury Magicians

Olivia Gain - Sparks

Abigail Hotton - Canterbury Magicians

Bella James - Sparks

Louisa Kotkamp - Sparks

Izzy Sharp - Canterbury Magicians

Lea Tahuhu - Canterbury Magicians

PJ Watkins - Sparks 

Article added: Wednesday 10 December 2025