Four down, two up.
The Otago Sparks have signed two international players to replace the quartet they have lost to international duty.
English duo Kirstie Gordon (25) and Linsey Smith (27) have been signed for the remainder of the Super Smash season.
The pair will help offset the loss of the vastly experienced Suzie Bates and fellow White Ferns Hayley Jensen and Eden Carson, who have been named in the White Ferns squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Promising young batter Paige Loggenberg is on duty for the New Zealand team at the Under-19 World Cup and also unavailable for the Super Smash games.
The Sparks are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, but faced playing the business end of the competition with a predominantly developing squad.
That persuaded coach Craig Cumming to whistle in some recruits to help fill the experience and quality gap created by the departures.
"Our two imports will assist to add variation and depth, and will partly offset the loss of our White Ferns as we look to close out our Super Smash campaign in a positive manner," Cumming said.
"Importantly, Kirstie and Linsey will have plenty of time to work alongside our young bowling unit to provide invaluable leadership and off-field spin bowling development opportunity."
Smith, who last played for England in 2019, is a left-arm orthodox spin bowler and left-handed batter. She plays for the Southern Vipers and has played for the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL.
Gordon has represented both Scotland and England and plays for the Loughborough Lightning. Like Smith, Gordon is an orthodox left-arm spinner.
Otago Cricket Association general manager of performance Steve Martin said it was important to strengthen the bowling unit for the final three round-robin games.
"Having carefully considered the potential of players from within our Otago set-up and who could fulfil the roles required, it was decided that it would not have been beneficial for our very young players to be exposed, at this point in their career, to the pressures of what is effectively playoff cricket in New Zealand’s premier domestic competition," Martin said.
"It was felt that the Hallyburton Johnstone 50-over competition provides much better opportunities for the development of our talented young players".
Otago’s next T20 game is against Central Districts in Dunedin on Sunday.
