ROUNDS SEVEN | EIGHT
10.30AM SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2020
10AM SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2020
• Colin Maiden Park, Auckland
• Cobham Oval, Whangarei
• Mainpower Oval, Rangiora
Tomorrow marks the start of four decisive days in the qualification quest for this season's Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Grand Final.
Resuming with two rounds this weekend following the conclusion of Dream11 Super Smash, the six women's one-day sides are back in action for the first time since December - with sweeping changes to squad line-ups, including the retirement of Blaze captain and former WHITE FERN Liz Perry, and a cluster of exciting debuts imminent.
The Auckland Hearts had a merry Christmas after snatching the competition lead off defending champions the Central Hinds in the last rounds of December, bumping the Hinds down to third spot after their double defeat to the Spirit.
With a maximum 20 points left in the regular season and only the top two sides proceeding to the Grand Final, the heat is on the Hinds to reduce what's now a widening chasm on the table if they are to set up a rematch of last year's battle with the Hearts.
Northern Spirit also hold a big advantage, eight points clear in second, and will host a new-look Wellington Blaze squad at home in Whangarei while the Hearts are also at home at a baked Colin Maiden Oval against the Hinds.
The Canterbury Magicians will meanwhile be in action against south rivals the Otago Sparks at Rangiora's Mainpower Oval looking to close the gap on the Hinds, while the Sparks would just like to break their egg for the summer.
All matches are free admission and live-scored on nzc.nz with the toss in the first games set to take place at 10am this Saturday.
#HBJSHIELD
