Two of Central Districts’ premier cricket grounds have been selected as host venues for the 2020/21 Super Smash.

Announced today by NZC, New Plymouth’s world famous Pukekura Park will host a total of six Super Smash games in the T20 domestic schedule — and the Central Hinds and Stags teams will bookend their Super Smash regular season at Napier’s McLean Park, the Stags under lights on both occasions.

Every Super Smash matchday will be a doubleheader this summer, with a single, great-value ticket or family pass providing entry to both the Hinds and Stags game.

Taranaki homies and holidaymakers can lock in New Year’s Eve afternoon plans at beautiful Pukekura Park where the Hinds will meet fierce rivals the Auckland Hearts, followed by the ever popular Stags against the Auckland Aces — with gourmet food trucks, coffee, chilled Deco City Beers and entertainment for the whole family on tap.

That will be part two of a massive two days of T20 cricket in front of the terraces, the Hinds playing Northern Spirit and the Stags looking to take down arch rivals the Knights the day before, December 30.

Spectators will be in a primo spot to kick on to the free TSB Festival of Lights — happening right next to the ground at Pukekura Park on both match days and making for an epic and affordable afternoon out with mates and family.

Images | PHOTOSPORT

 

Regular Grand Finalists in recent years and winners of the 2019 national trophy, the Stags start their T20 campaign two days after Christmas, against current champions the Wellington Firebirds whom they play under lights in Napier on Sunday 27 December.

Earlier that afternoon, the Hinds will be looking to start strong against the women’s defending champions Wellington Blaze on a day that will bring a slew of high profile T20 stars to the Bay.

Central teams will enjoy home advantage for their first three rounds, before hitting the road after the New Year with a string of away rounds in Hamilton, Dunedin and Christchurch — where the Stags will get to play under the brand new lights at Hagley Oval.

The Central teams head back to Pukekura Park to play the Otago Sparks and Otago Volts on Monday 18 January, then squeeze in one more away round in Auckland before returning to Hawke’s Bay for the crunch Round 10 of the regular season — concluding against the Canterbury Magicians and Kings, with the Stags hosting their royal foe on a Friday night (5 February) that leads into Waitangi Day weekend.

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Said Central Districts Cricket CEO Pete de Wet, “It’s a busy and exciting programme again for both our flagship teams this summer, and we’re excited to be hosting a total of five doubleheaders across the holiday season.

“We received excellent feedback from our supporters last season after the inaugural doubleheader at McLean Park, and again at Pukekura Park where there was a bonanza of entertainment on show and the traditional atmosphere of the terraces.

 

“Our Central Hinds relished the opportunity to play in front of that Taranaki crowd, and they rewarded them with an impressive 22-run win against the strong Hearts side.

“There can be few sporting spectacles in New Zealand that offer as great value for money as our Super Smash doubleheaders, at a time of year when we can all take some time to relax with our families and friends, so I’m looking forward to big crowds again for our home games this summer.

“Six hours of big hitting each day and a fun, well-rounded package of family-friendly entertainment at our iconic venues.”

Other than the January 18 doubleheader against Otago, all of Central’s home doubleheaders will be livestreamed by Spark Sport, and simulcast live on either Duke or TV1 which are both free-to-air channels.

The 2021 Super Smash Grand Final will take place on Saturday 13 February between the two top sides in both the men’s and women’s competitions, following a 2v3 knockout Elimination Final two days earlier.

NZC will reveal the season’s first-class Plunket Shield and one-day Ford Trophy and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield schedules next week.

 

 

HOME GAMES (T20)

At McLean Park, Napier, Hawke’s Bay

Sunday 27 DEC 2020

• Central Hinds v Wellington Blaze • 3.40PM • Spark Sport • Duke

• Central Stags v Wellington Firebirds • 7.10PM • Spark Sport • Duke

Friday 5 FEB 2021

• Central Hinds v Canterbury Magicians • 3.40PM • Spark Sport • Duke

• Central Stags v Canterbury Kings • 7.10PM • Spark Sport • Duke

At Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, Taranaki

Wednesday 30 DEC 2020

• Central Hinds v Northern Spirit • 10.10AM • Spark Sport • TVNZ1

• Central Stags v Knights • 1.40PM • Spark Sport • TVNZ1

Thursday 31 DEC 2020 • New Year’s Eve

• Central Hinds v Auckland Hearts • 10.10AM • Spark Sport • TVNZ1

• Central Stags v Auckland Aces • 1.40PM • Spark Sport • TVNZ1

Monday 18 JAN 2021

• Central Hinds v Otago Sparks • 12.30PM

• Central Stags v Otago Volts • 4PM

AWAY (T20)

Monday 4 JAN 2021 in Hamilton

• Northern Spirit v Central Hinds • 3.30PM

• Knights v Central Stags • 7PM

Friday 8 JAN 2021 in Dunedin

• Otago Sparks v Central Hinds • 11.40AM • Spark Sport

• Otago Volts v Central Stags • 3.10PM • Spark Sport

Sunday 10 JAN 2021 in Christchurch

• Canterbury Magicians v Central Hinds • 3.40PM • Spark Sport

• Canterbury Kings v Central Stags • 7.10PM • Spark Sport

Saturday 23 JAN 2021 in Auckland

• Auckland Hearts v Central Hinds • 11.40AM • Spark Sport

• Auckland Aces v Central Stags • 3.10PM • Spark Sport

Sunday 31 JAN 2021 in Wellington (Basin Reserve)

• Wellington Blaze v Central Hinds • 11.10AM • Spark Sport • TVNZ1

• Wellington Firebirds v Central Stags • 2.40PM • Spark Sport

Follow official hashtags on social:

#SuperSmashNZ #CentralHinds #LoveTheStags

Article added: Tuesday 29 September 2020