It feels like a long time since the Otago Sparks were last at the crease.
The Sparks have had a nine-day break since their last Super Smash match when they had to settle for sharing points against Northern Districts.
The match lastede 18 overs before it was eventually washed out in Hamilton.
While it might feel like the team has not played in a while, coach Craig Cumming is looking on the bright side.
"We had the chance to have a really big training week, collectively as a team but also individually as players," Cumming said.
"I think everyone’s really set on what they need to do and sort of trained the way that they want to play.
"While we’d love to keep playing and have more games probably without the bigger breaks, there is a benefit of being able to get some quality training in, so that’s been a positive."
The Sparks will be feeling refreshed which will be key as they hunt down top-of-the-table Wellington Blaze at the Uni Oval tomorrow.
The Blaze have not dropped a twenty20 match since 2021 and are looking to set a record of 17 wins. They come into the match solid after an 18-run win against Central Hinds.
The home side will need to be aggressive from the outset and do everything right for the full 40 overs, he said.
"They’re a quality side.
"We’ve got to be sort of in sixth gear probably all the way to be competitive with them so we’re looking forward to that.
"It’s a great marker to find out where we are as a team."
Asked if it was good to have the top-order bowler back in the mix, Cumming said "without a doubt".
"She’s a proven performer for us throughout the whole innings really.
"She swings the new ball and is a very good athlete in the field. It’s always good to have Blacky back."
There is extra incentive too, as the side hosts its first Super Smash match in Dunedin this season.
"[It’s] always nice to get back here and play in front of our local crowd from Dunedin and friends and family and play on a ground that we love to play on."
The Otago Volts are looking for redemption after losing by 110 runs at home to the Wellington Firebirds in a Ford Trophy match on Tuesday.
Both team’s line up again tomorrow in a Super Smash match.
The Firebirds join its counterparts the Brave sitting at the top-of-the-table, while the Vots are searching for their second win in the twenty20 format.
The Volts game against Northern Districts was washed out last week, and its match before that against Auckland ended in dramatic fashion with a tie.
Neither team had been named when the Otago Daily Times went to print last night.
The Sparks get under way at 11am and the Volts at 2.40pm tomorrow.
