Both Otago teams will host Wellington at Molyneux Park today.
It the first of three doubleheaders at the venue during the holiday period and the Sparks have moved to strengthen their team with the return of former England international Linsey Smith.
The 28-year-old left arm spinner played four T20 games for the Sparks last season and coach Craig Cumming is thrilled she has returned for another stint.
"She made a real impact with the bat, ball and in the field for us last year, so we’re excited to have her," he said.
"She has been over playing for the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL and she just gives us another spinning option.
"If you look at our jigsaw now, we’ve got each base covered and we can pick the best team for each game based on the conditions."
The Sparks have arguably the most balanced attack in the competition. English left arm seamer PJ Watkins has snapped up six wickets in two T20 for Otago.
Swing bowler Emma Black has added an extra yard of pace this season without losing her ability to bend the ball.
White Fern Hayley Jensen is one of the quickest bowlers in the country, and Otago has two quality slow bowlers in right-arm offspinner Eden Carson and wrist spinner Sophie Oldershaw.
Smith’s arrival gives Otago the option of playing three spinners when the conditions suit, plus Suzie Bates can bowl the odd tweaker as well.
The Sparks are fresh from a tense last-ball win against the defending champions, Canterbury, at Hagley Oval on Boxing Day.
The bowling unit set up the win by restricting Canterbury to 109 for six. They will need to be on top of their game against a talented Wellington lineup, who beat them by 23-runs at the Basin Reserve prior to Christmas.
The batting has not been going as well, though. Cumming felt his side had not got out of third gear.
Bates is due a big score and Felicity Robertson has looked in fine touch despite not posting a big score yet.
Bella James was timing the ball nicely in the three-wicket win against Canterbury.
But the Sparks lost five wickets in the last five overs in that game and it was left to Carson to chip the ball over the infield to secure the win.
It got a lot closer than it should have got.
"We want to be better than that with the bat and we wanted to be able to finish that game in about the 17th over.
"But give Canterbury credit. They kept fighting but so did we.
"I’m pleased that we were under that pressure, because the more you have to perform under pressure the better you get at it.
"I think that will pay dividends later in the competition."
The Volts’ match against Canterbury at Hagley Oval was rained off. It was the third game of cricket this month the Volts have had washed out, so they have not played a lot of cricket recently.
They have kept the same side which was humbled by Wellington at the Basin Reserve by 74 runs.
Firebirds opener Tim Robinson clouted 139 from 64 but was dropped three times, so the Volts will want to produce a much improved fielding effort.
It is a critical period for both Otago teams, with three games in six days.
- Both the Central Districts men’s and women’s teams had twenty20 wins in Palmerston North yesterday.
The Stags beat Northern Districts by 56 runs and the Hinds prevailed by six runs against their Northern opponents.
Super Smash
Women and men
Molyneux Park, 12.30pm and 4pm
