New Zealand’s first T20 competition returns this Boxing Day Super Smash 2025-26 season departs. The campaign kicks off at Hamilton’s Seddon Park, where the Northern Knights will host Auckland Aces to kick off a summer of high-octane cricket.
The Central Stags enter the tournament as the winning team, looking to defend their crown in a competitive double round robin format. The schedule features 32 matches across six regional sides, all vying for a place in the finals weekend at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on January 30-31.
Super Smash 2025-26: Rivals
The league features six teams that combine seasoned local veterans with potential international stars.
Let’s take a look at the contenders:
- Central stags: The title holders will be looking to repeat last season’s winning formula.
- Auckland Aces: Known for their strong hitting depth, they will look to dominate with the willow.
- Kings of Canterbury: With the finals scheduled at their home ground (Hagley Oval), they have a huge incentive to go deep.
- Knights of the North: Have the honor of opening the season on December 26th at home against Oakland.
- Otago Volt: Face an early test in the table against Canterbury.
- Wellington Firebirds: They will try to play their home games at the Historic Basin Preserve.
Super Smash 2025-26: Full Squads
1) Oakland Aces
Sid Dixit, Cam Fletcher, Matt Gibson, Rohit Gulati, Bevon Jacobs, Harrish Kannan, Simon Kine, Ben Lister, Jock McKenzie, Angus Olliver, Dale Phillips, Samrat Singh, Sean Solia, Lachie Stackpole, Jordan Sussex
2) Kings of Canterbury
Chad Bowes, Matt Boyle, Leo Carter, Jesse Frew, Scott Janett, Rhys Mariu, Cole McConchie, Angus Mckenzie, Cam Paul, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Michael Rae, Michael Rippon, Matt Rowe, Fraser Sheat
3) Central stags
Doug Bracewell, Tom Bruce, Will Clark, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Toby Findlay, Dean Foxcroft, Curtis Heaphy, Jayden Lennox, Ajaz Patel, Brett Randell, Angus Schaw, Brad Schmulian, Blair TicknerRay Toole
4) Brave North
Xavier Bell, Josh Brown, Joe Carter, Keten Clarke, Kristan Clarke, Henry Cooper, Matthew Fisher, Zach Gibson, Brett Hampton, Scott Kuggelain, Robbie O’Donnell, Ben Pomare, Bharat Popli, Tim Pringle, Jit Raval
5) Otago Volt
Matt Bacon, Jack Boyle, Max Chu, Mason Clarke, Jacob Cumming, Danruh Ferns, Luke Georgeson, Jake Gibson, Andrew Hazeldine, Lew Johnson, Troy Johnson, Ben Lockrose, Cerrod McKay, Thorne Parkes, Jamal Todd
6) Wellington Firebirds
Liam Dudding, Nick Greenwood, James Hartshorn, Nick Kelly, Callum McLachlan, Samuel Morgan, Sam Mycock, Amog Paranjpe, Tim Robinson, Gareth Severin, Michael Snedden, Jesse Tashkoff, Logan van Beek, Peter Younghusband, Yahya Zeb
