Hard-hitting White Ferns all-rounder Hayley Jensen will make her playing return tomorrow following a lengthy layoff.
The 31-year-old had knee surgery and has not played since February.
Otago will open their T20 season with a tough encounter against the Wellington Blaze at the Basin Reserve tomorrow.
Jensen will be joined in the Otago squad by veteran White Ferns opener Suzie Bates and White Ferns spinner Eden Carson.
Experienced campaigners Polly Inglis, Felicity Robertson, Caitlin Blakely and Bella James pad out a strong batting lineup, while Emma Black and Jensen will spearhead the seam attack.
Wrist spinner Sophie Oldershaw is another key performer in the lineup.
The Sparks are missing Kate Ebrahim this season. The star performer’s curious absence continues to remain unexplained other than a throwaway line at the end of a press release stating she was unable to commit to the season.
Ebrahim nabbed 12 wickets at 20.91 and scored 267 runs at 29.66 in 2022-23, so her absence will have an impact.
However, the Sparks have essentially got two players in Jensen. She can bat anywhere in the top seven and her pace offers the Sparks a point of difference.
She would be one of the quickest in the tournament and coach Craig Cumming is very excited to see what the experienced all-rounder can do post knee surgery.
"She has put in a huge amount of work since what was a major knee operation," Cumming said.
"She is running in and bowling hard, and she has done a lot of work on her batting as well. I actually think she might find the break will actually make her a better all-round cricketer.
"There is still some nervousness that her knee hasn’t been tested in a game.
"But we’re a better side when Hayley is playing."
Bates’ return and the impact that will have on the side is obvious. The world-class opener has been utterly dominant at domestic level for the Sparks for more than a decade.
And Carson has made big improvements in her bowling since getting her opportunity at international level.
Wellington will be able to stitch together an impressive team. They can draw on the likes of Sophie Devine and Melie Kerr.
They have dominated the tournament, winning four of the last six editions. Canterbury won the other two titles, including last year.
Otago made the final in 2021-22, but lost to Wellington by 75 runs.
Nine of the Otago team which started in that final have been named in the 12 for tomorrow’s game.
Only Ebrahim and Katey Martin, who has since retired, are missing. So it is a very settled squad.
There was no room for Saffron Wilson, who blazed a list-A century in her last outing for the Sparks.
"That was a tough decision. But at the moment we are being loyal to the players that have performed well for this outfit, but she has certainly put herself very, very close to selection.
"And that is exactly what we want. We want players getting opportunities and performing like that.
"We know our game is getting better when we are starting to get competition like that for places."
Super Smash
Basin Reserve, 12.30pm
Otago: Suzie Bates (captain), Bella James, Polly Inglis, Felicity Robertson, Caitlin Blakely, Hayley Jensen, Olivia Gain, PJ Watkins, Eden Carson, Emma Black, Sophie Oldershaw, Molly Loe.
