One
Winless, they needed 15 from the last over, yet got home with two balls to spare. Jeetan Patel nailed the pressure to bring home the Wellington Firebirds with a six in a thrilling stand of fearless death hitting.
Two
Jesse Ryder in big, big six-smashing mode earlier in that same game. Super smash of the night? It went all the way out onto Seddon Road — and Ryder was so breezy, he looked like he could have smashed it with his eyes shut. Watch it again here!
Three
Wow. Martin Guptill on fire on his own would have been entertaining enough. Put Guptill and Rob Nicol together and you have a dream team in the Aces’ top order. Nicol’s sublime wristiness and Guptill’s confident form (back to back half centuries) saw them slaughter the Volts by 106 runs after their 137-run second wicket stand. Smashing sweeps for six, the ball raining down on the crowd over after over… what a cricket spectacle.
Four
Ooooh, that fingertip catch! Adam Milne, flying, athletic, stretching to the last millimetre of his frame to have a successful second go at taking the catch to dismiss a dangerous-looking Anton Devcich. To add to Devcich’s displeasure, remarkably in the Devon Hotel Central Stags’ chase he downed a similar, difficult ‘second chance’ grab, denying Mitchell Santner what would have been a spectacular wicket.
Five
The $5000 catch. Take a bow Andrew McCulloch, you did it!
Six
Travis Birt. Pro of the week. He smashed it staight, blasted classic cover drives, brought up his 50 up with a handsome six against the Stags. Fast hands, top quality raw power and great options, all in one strong package.
Birt. Smashed it.
Seven
Canterbury King Cole McConchie’s screaming one-handed catch at point to stop a smashing Michael Papps on one. Amazing that he still has all his fingers.
Eight
Tough choice, so this is going to be eighth equal. Aiden Blizzard blasting at the death to take a game away from the SKYCITY Northern Knights, and Colin Munro’s ballistic cameo at the end of that show-stopping innings against the Volts. Brutallity at its best. Honorable mention to Jamie How putting it over the sightscreen — super hit, that.
Nine
Great seam bowling was on show. Think Aces against the Volts. Donovan Grobbelaar. Think Firebird Brent Arnel’s nippy inseamer to bowl Neil Broom. The kind of thing that gives top order batsmen the shivers.
Ten
Kings allrounder Andy Ellis ripping through the back of the Firebirds to pick up the first five-for of the Georgie Pie Super Smash… and a nine-for for the weekend. He nailed it with a classic piece of deception, a slower ball that had Luke Fletcher kicking himself.
What the coaches thought
Check the Week Two post-match #GPCoachChat insights from winning coaches Gary Stead, James Pamment, Mark O’Donnell and Jamie Siddons.
Full court!
This Thursday sees the Canterbury Kings defend their castle at home for the first time and with the Canterbury public right behind them, it’s going to be a massive atmosphere with over 5000 people at Hagley Oval!
Limited cash gate sales were available at time of writing — $10 adults and kids get in FREE. Plus, turn up in an official Kings supporters shirt and you win a car worth $10,000!
Kings fans, the advice is to get in quick to score tickets to Sunday’s 16 November game at Hagley against the SBS Bank Otago Volts, and 27 November against the Mondiale Auckland Aces also at Hagley; tickets available here.
Bow down before your King.
Chart Toppers
Top run-scorers
With consecutive half centuries, Aces opener Martin Guptill moves up a notch into top spot this week — after just two games.
| M | I | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | |
| Martin Guptill (Aces) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 148 | 84* | 148.00 | 0 | 2 |
| Travis Birt (Knights) | 4 | 4 | 0 | 122 | 68 | 30.50 | 0 | 1 |
| Daniel Flynn (Knights) | 4 | 4 | 0 | 116 | 86 | 29.00 | 0 | 1 |
| Michael Bracewell | 4 | 4 | 0 | 115 | 40 | 28.75 | 0 | 0 |
| Aiden Blizzard (Kings) | 3 | 3 | 1 | 108 | 69* | 54.00 | 0 | 1 |
Full Georgie Pie Super Smash batting stats
Top wicket-takers
Canterbury King Andy Ellis grabbed the first five-for of the Georgie Pie Super Smash, a career best to cap his outstanding weekend. Zooming up the charts, handy Andy’s top of the pops by a whole four wickets.
| Balls | Mdns | Runs | Wkts | BB | Ave | 4WIs | 5WIs | SR | Econ | |
| Andy Ellis (Kings) | 60 | 0 | 57 | 10 | 5-14 | 5.70 | 1 | 1 | 6.00 | 5.70 |
| Anton Devcich (Knights) | 47 | 0 | 73 | 6 | 4-19 | 12.16 | 1 | 0 | 7.83 | 9.31 |
| Ben Laughlin (Knights) | 90 | 0 | 111 | 6 | 2-31 | 18.50 | 0 | 0 | 15.00 | 7.40 |
| Mitchell McClenaghan (Aces) | 42 | 1 | 43 | 5 | 3-29 | 8.60 | 0 | 0 | 8.40 | 6.14 |
| Luke Fletcher (Firebirds) | 72 | 0 | 89 | 5 | 3-19 | 17.60 | 0 | 0 | 14.40 | 7.41 |
Full Georgie Pie Super Smash bowling stats
Safest Hands
It’s southerners to the fore as Aaron Redmond is challenged by his own teammate this week for top dog in the field.
| Matches | Catches | |
| Neil Broom (Volts) | 3 | 4 |
| Aaron Redmond (Volts) | 4 | 4 |
| Logan van Beek (Kings) | 3 | 4 |
| Michael Bates (Aces) | 2 | 3 |
| Dean Brownlie (Knights) | 4 | 3 |
Full Georgie Pie Super Smash fielding stats
Points table
After going head to head, the unbeaten Canterbury Kings displace last week’s leaders the SKYCITY Northern Knights at the top of the charts.
| Played | Won | Lost | Points | Net Run Rate | |
| Canterbury Kings | 3 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 0.606 |
| SKYCITY Northern Knights | 4 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 0.557 |
| Mondiale Auckland Aces | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2.700 |
| Wellington Firebirds | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -0.532 |
| Devon Hotel Central Stags | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -0.918 |
| SBS Bank Otago Volts | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | -1.535 |
Live Georgie Pie Super Smash points table
Hot Stats
Keep your eye on these guys who have T20 milestones to smash in Week Three.
Anaru Kitchen 1000 runs Currently on 933 runs for the Aces
Kyle Mills 50 wickets Currently on 48 wickets for the Aces
Rob Nicol 50 wickets Currently on 45 career wickets
Travis Birt 100 matches Currently on 99 T20 career matches
Brad Wilson 1000 runs Currently on 990 career runs for the Knights
Nick Beard 50 wickets Currently on 44 wickets for the Volts
Nathum McCullum 50 wickets Currently on 48 wickets for the Volts
Dirk Nannes 250 wickets Currently on 249 career wickets
Grant Elliott 1000 runs Currently on 998 career runs
Brent Arnel 50 wickets Currently on 49 career wickets
Stats congrats
Well played to these men last weekend.
Kyle Mills 100 career wickets
Daniel Flynn 1000 career runs
Daniel Flynn 1000 runs for the Knights
Daniel Flynn Highest T20 score by a Northern Knight v Canterbury Kings
Travis Birt 2000 career runs
Andy Ellis All-time leading wicket-taker in New Zealand Twenty20 domestic game
Andy Ellis Career best bowling figures, 4–28 and 5–14
Jeetan Patel Career best score, 34 not out
Up next
Eight games on which to feast your eyes in Week Three. Georgie Pie Super Smash hits the South Island this Thursday at University Oval, Dunedin and Hagley Oval, Christchurch — both live on Radio Sport. Aucklanders, we’ve got a festival of games for you this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the big top at Eden Park — these games are live on SKY Sport and Radio Sport, but there’s nothing like being there for the big hits. One ticket buys you entry to all-day entetainment at a doubleheader. Meanwhile, Hagley Oval hosts its second game on Sunday in an action-packed weekend.
Thursday Nov 13 SBS Bank Otago Volts v Devon Hotel Central Stags
Georgie Pie Super Smash comes to Dunedin’s University Oval for the Volts’ first home game on the season. Will it do the trick and deliver them a win? One thing’s for sure, one of these teams is going to get their first victory on the board. From 4pm.
Social media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #OVvCS
Tickets
Canterbury Kings v SKYCITY Northern Knights
Pink meets purple again so get your outfits ready for this huge top of the table clash! Can the Kings hold onto their unbeaten status with the Knights breathing down their neck? From 4.30 pm.
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #CKvNK
Tickets: SOLD OUT
Friday Nov 14 Mondiale Auckland Aces v Wellington Firebirds
Friday night under lights and the showcase pits the unbeaten Aces against the recharged Firebirds — fizzing after getting on the board with their breath-taking last over thriller versus the Volts on Sunday. How will they handle the Aces’ batting firepower?
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #AAvWF
Tickets
Saturday Nov 15 Mondiale Auckland Aces v Devon Hotel Central Stags
Super Saturday starts with a great match-up at 3.40pm. Support the Aces? Get behind your team as they back up from the night before in the non-stop entertainment. From 3.40pm, great ticket prices all weekend — adults just $10.
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #AAvCS
Tickets
Wellington Firebirds v SKYCITY Northern Knights
This will be a massive game for the Firebirds as they look to force their way up the table against one of the form teams. The Knights have depth — but how will they reorganise themselves without their four New Zealand A players? The Firebirds sniff a chance, from 7pm.
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #WFvNK
Tickets
Sunday Nov 16 Devon Hotel Central Stags v Wellington Firebirds
Sunday is our Border Wars day and first up it’s the Firebirds back at Eden Park and trying to shoot themselves some venison for lunch! Nothing like a neighbourly grudge match at the cricket, from 12.50pm with the second game of the doubleheader to follow.
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #CSvWF
Tickets
Canterbury Kings v SBS Bank Otago Volts
South meets south as we return to Hagley Oval. Do the Kings rule the South Island? Or are the Volts on the charge? Hold onto your seats, 2.30pm.
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #CKvOV
Tickets
Mondiale Auckland Aces v SKYCITY Northern Knights
Back to Eden Park and the hosts take on their northern neighbours in a game that could have big implications for the state of the points table. Don’t expect a lazy Sunday afternoon with the border battles underway! From 4.10pm.
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #AAvNK
Tickets
One to Watch
Canterbury King Logan van Beek is one of those super-talented sportsmen who’s also represented New Zealand at basketball — he payed in the 2009 Under-19 world basketball championships. What’s got cricket fans talking is that the beefy blond bowler’s put on a yard of pace since last season — as George Worker discovered when van Beek skittled his wickets on our opening weekend. The 24-year-old right-armer’s been doing the hard yards in the gym, spent a solid off-season playing hard cricket in the northern hemisphere and it’s paying off. Interesting facts: beside the New Zealand Under-19s, he’s also represented the Netherlands in Twenty20 Internationals through his paternal Dutch heritage; and his grandfather was none other than Sam Guillen, who played test cricket for both New Zealand and the West Indies.
Logan van Beek - man of many, many talents.
Are you winning?
We’re looking for the best dressed supporters in Dunedin this Thursday and every day in Auckland. Gear up and you’re in for some great prizes! Plus, wait till you see what Specsavers are doing between innings on Friday night in Auckland — you could be the lucky person taking part by getting your photo taken by the Specsavers people at the game. They'll also be giving away foam fingers, eye test discount flyers and jellybeans. Plus, the Aces will be hitting marked balls into the crowd between innings and after games: grab one and you score a free kid’s t-shirt at the official merchandise stand! Hundreds of prizes to win, plus face painting, stilt walkers, Kids Zone at all games and Georgie Pie banners and vouchers for Georgie Pie Super Smash fans. And don’t forget the deal to score a car at Hagley Oval!
Get on it
Stay up with the play with Georgie Pie Super Smash social media - let us know where you're watching from and what you reckon:
www.facebook.com/gpsupersmash
www.twitter.com/gpsupersmash
www.instagram.com/gpsupersmash
YouTube
#GPSuperSmash Photo of the Week
Shine Face Painting, we loved your work at Seddon Park… and so did hundreds of Hamilton kids. Busy as and fun for all the family at Georgie Pie Super Smash all season.
