Long awaited Men’s Super Smash New Zealand cricket is set to make a comeback, adding another exciting chapter to its summer. One of the country’s premier local competitions, Super Smash offers an exciting platform for seasoned campaigners and budding talents alike. With a spotlight on local stars, the 2024-25 season aims to unearth up-and-comers while continuing to celebrate the prowess of seasoned performers.
The 20th edition of the tournament this season is a landmark event for the prestigious T20 competition. The event will run from December 26, 2024 to February 2, 2025, with a total of 32 matches, including playoffs. Six participating teams – Auckland Aces, Canterbury Kings, Central Stags, Wellington Firebirds, Northern Districtsand Otago Volt – are set to compete in a format that guarantees action-packed cricket throughout the summer.
Auckland Aces: The reigning champions
The Oakland AcesThe most successful team in Super Smash history enters the 2024-25 season as the last champion. With five titles to their name, the Aces have created a legacy of dominance in New Zealand’s domestic T20 circuit. Their victory last year was unconventional but decisive; although the final was interrupted due to rain, they became champions by surpassing the points table. Going into this season, the Aces will be aiming to add to their title and cement their position as a major force in the competition.
Tournament format and structure
The round-robin format ensures that each of the six teams face each other twice in the league stage, giving all squads an equal opportunity to showcase their strengths. At the end of the league stage, the top three teams will qualify for the playoffs. This structure not only rewards consistency, but also adds tension to the tournament as teams battle for coveted playoff spots.
- The team that takes the first place in the points table qualifies directly for the finals.
- The second and third place teams will compete in an Eliminator game and the winner will advance to the grand final.
Also READ: Mens Super Smash 2024/25 – Schedule, Broadcast & Live Streaming Details | When and where to watch in India, New Zealand, USA, UK and other countries
Men’s Super Smash 2024-25: Full Squads
- Auckland Aces: Sean Solia (c), Bevon Jacobs, Michael Sclanders, William O’Donnell, Harcot Johal, Simon Kine, Cam Fletcher (wk), Quinn Sunde (wk), Adithya Ashok, Angus Olliver, Benjamin Lister, Danru Ferns, Jock McKenzie, Jordan Sussex, Louis Delport, Matthew Gibson
- Otago Volt: Dale Phillips, Jamal Todd, Llew Johnson, Thorn Parkes, Dean Foxcroft, Jacob Cumming, Luke Georgeson, Zac Cumming, Max Chu (wk), Andrew Hazeldine, Ben Lockrose, Jake Gibson, Jarrod McKay, Matthew Bacon, Travis Muller
- Canterbury: Chad Bowes, Ken McClure, Matthew Boyle, Rhys Mariu, Cole McConchie, Henry Shipley, Michael Rippon, Zachary Foulkes, Mitchell Hay (week), Angus McKenzie, Cameron Paul, Ed Nuttall, Fraser Sheet, Matt Rowe, Michael Ray, Sean Davey
- Central stags: Jack Boyle, Mason Hughes, Toby Findlay, Tom Bruce, Brad Schmulian, Ewald Schreuder, Joey Field, William Clark, Curtis Heaphy (hst), Dane Cleaver (hst), Angus Schaw, Blair Tickner, Brett Randell, Jayden Lennox, Ray Toole , Tyler Annand
- Wellington Firebirds: Jesse Tashkoff, Mohammed Abbas, Nick Kelly, Sam Meekock, Tim Robinson, Troy Johnson, Logan van Beek, Nick Greenwood, Peter Yangush, Callum McLachlan, Gareth Severin, Ian McPeak, James Hartshorne, Liam Dudding, Michael Snedden, Yahya Zeb
- Northern regions: Jeet Rawal (c), Bharat Popli, Fergus Lellman, Henry Cooper, Joe Carter, Katene Clarke, Christian Clarke, Robert O’Donnell, Brett Hampton, Snehith Reddy, Ben Pomare (Wk), Frederick Walker, Joshua Brown, Matthew Fisher, Neil Wagner , Scott Johnston
