Otago Sparks

Last updated

Otago Sparks
Otago Sparks logo.png
Personnel
Captain Suzie Bates
Coach Craig Cumming
Team information
Colours Otago Volts colours.svg
FoundedFirst recorded match: 1932
Home ground University Oval, Dunedin
Secondary home ground(s) Whitestone Contracting Stadium, Oamaru
Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown
History
First-class debut Wellington
in 1940
at  Basin Reserve, Wellington
HBJS  wins4
SS  wins1
Official website Otago Cricket

The Otago Sparks is the women's cricket representative team for the New Zealand region of Otago and the surrounding area. They play their home games at University Oval, Dunedin. They compete in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day competition and the Women's Super Smash Twenty20 competition.

Contents

History

Otago made their first appearance in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield in 1939–40, where they lost to Wellington. [1] The following period in the one-day competition was dominated by Auckland and Wellington, however, and Otago did not record a second-place finish until 1957–58. [2] They finished second again in 1960–61 before finally winning their first title in 1962–63, winning two matches and drawing one. [3] [4] In 1967–68, Otago competed in the Australian Women's Cricket Championships, finishing fourth out of five. [5]

Otago did not play in major competition between 1983–84 and 1997–98. Some Otago players instead played for Southern Districts, which competed between 1983–84 and 1987–88. [6] They returned for the 1998–99 season, but finished bottom of the one-day competition points table. [7]

Otago won their second one-day competition in 2013–14, finishing second in the group stage before beating Auckland in the final, helped by 99 from captain Suzie Bates and winning by 3 wickets off the penultimate delivery. [8] [9] They won their third one-day competition in 2021–22, finishing second in the group stage to qualify for the final, before beating group winners Wellington in the final by 138 runs. [10] They won their fourth one-day competition in 2023–24, this time topping the group stage and defeating Wellington in the final. [11]

Otago have also competed in the Twenty20 Super Smash since its inception in 2007–08, finishing second in 2014–15 before winning the title in 2016–17. [12] [13] They finished second in the group stage in 2016–17, but beat group winners Canterbury in the final, with Suzie Bates scoring 74 and Kate Heffernan taking 4/21. [14] Otago bowler Leigh Kasperek was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with 8 wickets. [15]

Grounds

Otago played their first home Hallyburton Johnstone Shield match at University Oval, Dunedin, and the ground has remained the side's primary home ground throughout their history. They also used Logan Park and Carisbrook, also in Dunedin, until the early 2000s. [16] [17]

From 2005, the side began using Molyneux Park, Alexandra and in 2007 Queens Park, Invercargill. In the 2017–18 season, they also began using Whitestone Contracting Stadium, Oamaru. In 2021–22, the side primarily used University Oval, as well as playing two games at Whitestone Contracting Stadium and three, for the first time, at Queenstown Events Centre. In 2022–23, the side used University Oval and Queenstown Events Centre for their home matches. [17] [18]

Players

Current squad

Based on squad announced for the 2023–24 season. Players in bold have international caps. [19]

No.NameNationalityBirth dateBatting styleBowling styleNotes
Batters
7Caitlin BlakelyFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 7 January 1996 (age 28)Right-handedRight-arm medium
All-rounders
17 Hayley Jensen Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 7 October 1992 (age 32)Right-handedRight-arm medium
18Paige LoggenbergFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 15 October 2003 (age 21)Right-handedRight-arm medium
23 Suzie Bates Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 16 September 1987 (age 37)Right-handedRight-arm medium Captain
33Saffron WilsonFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 5 December 2001 (age 23)Right-handedRight-arm medium
36Gemma AdamsFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 15 February 2002 (age 22)Right-handedRight-arm medium
49 Felicity Leydon-Davis Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 22 June 1994 (age 30)Right-handedRight-arm medium Vice-captain
Wicket-keepers
11Olivia GainFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 2 January 2002 (age 22)Right-handed—
21 Bella James Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 27 January 1999 (age 25)Right-handed—
29Polly InglisFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 31 May 1996 (age 28)Right-handed—
Bowlers
5Louisa KotkampFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 16 September 2005 (age 19)Right-handedRight-arm medium
10Molly LoeFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 25 June 2003 (age 21)Right-handedRight-arm medium
14Sophie OldershawFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 20 May 1998 (age 26)Right-handedRight-arm leg break
23Chloe DeernessFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 23 August 2005 (age 19)Right-handedRight-arm off break
24 Eden Carson Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 8 August 2001 (age 23)Right-handedRight-arm off break
30Emma BlackFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 8 August 2001 (age 23)Right-handedRight-arm medium
46Poppy-Jay WatkinsFlag of England.svg  England 24 January 2004 (age 20)Right-handedLeft-arm medium

Notable players

Players who have played for Otago and played internationally are listed below, in order of first international appearance (given in brackets): [20]

Coaching staff

Honours

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Milburn represented both the Netherlands and New Zealand in international cricket.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Hinds</span> Cricket team

The Central Hinds are the women's representative cricket team of Central Districts Cricket Association, based in central New Zealand. They play their home games at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North, Saxton Oval, Nelson and McLean Park, Napier. They compete in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day competition and the Women's Super Smash Twenty20 competition and were formerly known as Central Districts Women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hallyburton Johnstone Shield</span> Cricket tournament

The Hallyburton Johnstone Shield is the premier domestic women's one-day cricket competition in New Zealand. The tournament began in 1935–36, as a first-class competition, but is now played as a 50-over competition, with six provincial teams taking part: Auckland, Canterbury, Central Districts, Northern Districts, Otago and Wellington. The tournament now runs alongside the Twenty20 Women's Super Smash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auckland Hearts</span> Cricket team

The Auckland Hearts is the women's representative cricket team for the New Zealand region of Auckland. They play their home games at Eden Park Outer Oval. They compete in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day competition and the Women's Super Smash Twenty20 competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Districts women's cricket team</span> Womens cricket team in New Zealand

The Northern Districts women's cricket team, previously known as Northern Spirit, is the women's representative cricket team of the Northern Districts Cricket Association, based in the northern half of New Zealand's North Island. They play their home games at Seddon Park, Hamilton. They compete in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day competition and also the Women's Super Smash Twenty20 competition, where they are known as the Northern Brave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canterbury Magicians</span> Cricket team in New Zealand

The Canterbury Magicians is the women's representative cricket team for the New Zealand region of Canterbury. They play their home games at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. They compete in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day competition and the Women's Super Smash Twenty20 competition. They are the most successful side in the history of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, with 39 title wins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wellington Blaze</span> Cricket team

The Wellington Blaze is the women's representative cricket team for the New Zealand city of Wellington. They play their home games at Basin Reserve. They compete in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day competition and the Women's Super Smash Twenty20 competition. They are the most successful side in the history of the Super Smash, with eight title wins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leigh Kasperek</span> New Zealander cricketer

Leigh Meghan Kasperek is a Scottish cricketer who plays internationally for the New Zealand national team. She previously played for the Scottish national side, but switched to New Zealand in order to play at a higher level.

Frances Cecilia Jonas is a New Zealand cricketer who plays for Auckland as a slow left-arm orthodox bowler. In February 2021, Jonas earned her maiden call-up to the New Zealand women's cricket team, for their Women's One Day International (WODI) series against England in February and March 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Smash (women's cricket)</span> Professional twenty20 cricket league in New Zealand

The Women's Super Smash, known for sponsorship reasons as the Dream11 Super Smash, is a women's Twenty20 competition organised by New Zealand Cricket.

The 2020–21 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield was a 50-over women's cricket competition, the fourth season with the name Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, that took place in New Zealand. It ran from November 2020 to March 2021, with 6 provincial teams taking part. Canterbury Magicians beat Auckland Hearts in the final to win the tournament.

The 2020–21 Dream11 Super Smash was the fourteenth season of the women's Super Smash Twenty20 cricket competition played in New Zealand. It ran from December 2020 to February 2021, with 6 provincial teams taking part. Canterbury Magicians beat Wellington Blaze in the final to win the tournament, their 5th Super Smash title.

The 2017–18 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield was a 50-over women's cricket competition that took place in New Zealand. This was the first time a tournament had been named the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield since 1981–82, which was previously predominantly a first-class competition. It ran from November 2017 to January 2018, with 6 provincial teams taking part. Auckland Hearts topped the group with 8 wins to win the competition.

The 2019–20 Dream11 Super Smash was the thirteenth season of the women's Super Smash Twenty20 cricket competition played in New Zealand. It ran from December 2019 to January 2020, with 6 provincial teams taking part. Wellington Blaze beat Auckland Hearts in the final to win the tournament, their 6th Super Smash title, and third in three seasons.

The 2017–18 New Zealand Women's Twenty20 Competition was the eleventh season of the women's Twenty20 cricket competition played in New Zealand. It ran from November 2017 to February 2018, with 6 provincial teams taking part. Wellington Blaze topped the group with 7 wins to win their 4th Twenty20 title.

The 2021–22 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield was a 50-over women's cricket competition, the fifth season with the name Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, that took place in New Zealand. It ran from October 2021 to February 2022, with 6 provincial teams taking part. Canterbury Magicians were the defending champions. Wellington Blaze topped the group to qualify for the final, with Otago Sparks qualifying in second. Otago went on to win the competition, beating Wellington by 138 runs in the final. Otago's Kate Ebrahim was the leading run-scorer while Northern Districts' Nensi Patel took the most wickets in the tournament.

Eden Jean Carson is a New Zealand cricketer who currently plays for Otago and New Zealand. She plays as a right-arm off break bowler.

The 2022–23 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield was a 50-over women's cricket competition, the sixth season with the name Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, that took place in New Zealand. It ran from November 2022 to March 2023, with 6 provincial teams taking part. Wellington Blaze won the tournament, beating Canterbury Magicians in the final.

The 2023–24 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield was a 50-over women's cricket competition, the seventh season with the name Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, that took place in New Zealand. It ran from November 2023 to February 2024, with 6 provincial teams taking part. Wellington Blaze were the defending champions. Otago Sparks beat Wellington in a close final, by four wickets and 11 balls to spare, to win the tournament.

Mikaela Jane Greig is a New Zealand cricketer who currently plays for Central Districts. She plays as a right-handed batter and right-arm off-break bowler.

Isabella Rose James is a New Zealand cricketer who currently plays for New Zealand women's cricket team and Otago in domestic cricket. She plays as a right-handed batter and wicket-keeper.

References

  1. ↑ "Hallyburton Johnstone Challenge Shield 1939–40". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  2. ↑ "Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 1957–58". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  3. ↑ "Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 1960–61". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  4. ↑ "Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 1962–63 Table". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  5. ↑ "Australian Women's Cricket Championships 1967/68". CricketArchive. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  6. ↑ Watkin, Evan (October 2015). "The History of Women's Domestic Cricket in New Zealand" (PDF). Cricket Wellington. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  7. ↑ "State Insurance Cup 1998–99". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  8. ↑ "New Zealand Women's One-Day Competition 2013–14". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  9. ↑ "Auckland Women v Otago Women, 25 January 2014". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  10. ↑ "Final, Queenstown, Feb 27 2022, New Zealand Cricket Women's One Day Competition: Wellington Women v Otago Women". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  11. ↑ "Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 2023–24". CricketArchive. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  12. ↑ "New Zealand Women's Twenty20 Competition 2014/15". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  13. ↑ "New Zealand Women's Twenty20 Competition 2016/17". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  14. ↑ "Canterbury Women v Otago Women, 11 February 2017". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  15. ↑ "Bowling in New Zealand Women's Twenty20 Competition 2016/17 (Ordered by Wickets)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  16. ↑ "Women's First-Class Matches played by Otago Women". CricketArchive. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  17. 1 2 "Women's List A Matches played by Otago Women". CricketArchive. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  18. ↑ "Women's Twenty20 Matches played by Otago Women". CricketArchive. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  19. ↑ "Exciting prospects earn contracts for the SBS Bank Otago Sparks". Otago Cricket. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  20. ↑ "Otago Women Players". CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  21. ↑ "Coach seeks to get most out of Sparks". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.