Alexandra to host opening Super Smash games again
Add in a couple of games of cricket and you have yourself a good day out.
The Otago Sparks and the Otago Volts are taking their opening Super Smash games to sunny Alexandra again with the fixtures the first in their 2025-26 T20 seasons.
They will open their campaigns at Molyneux Park — against the Canterbury Magicians and Canterbury Kings respectively — on December 28.
They will then meet the Central Hinds and Central Stags on December 30.
Alexandra has proved a popular spot for the opening fixtures in recent seasons, and this year is sure to be no different.
Doubleheaders remain in the Super Smash this season with the Otago Sparks and Otago Volts playing at the same ground on the same day.
Otago then hit the road for a stretch of away games in the new year against Northern (January 4), Auckland (January 6) and Wellington (January 9).
Super Smash will then make a welcome return to the University Oval, where the Otago teams will host a spate of home clashes.
They meet Auckland (January 12), Wellington (January 15) and Northern (January 18) in Dunedin, before heading away for their final two round robin games against Canterbury (January 21) and Central (January 24).
Both finals series will be held at Christchurch's Hagley Oval this season.
The men's and women's elimination finals will be held on January 30 and the finals on January 31.
The Otago Sparks will be looking to go one better later this year after being runners-up in the 2024-25 women's Super Smash final.
After being one of the most dominant teams throughout the year, the Sparks — who went on to win the one-day Hallyburton Johnstone Shield title — lost by eight runs to the Wellington Blaze in the T20 final at the Basin Reserve.
It handed the Wellington Blaze back-to-back Super Smash titles, and they will be hoping to make it a threepeat this season.
The Otago Volts hit a purple patch in the middle of the season this year but fell off the pace slightly towards the end and missed the playoffs.
The Central Stags will be out to defend their men's title after beating the Canterbury Kings by six wickets in last year's final.
But the Kings will be desperate to earn their first T20 title in 20 years after being runners-up for the past five seasons.
The Super Smash season — which features 64 games across 32 days — gets under way on Boxing Day between the Northern Brave and the Auckland Hearts. Super Smash
The schedule
Otago Volts: v Canterbury (Alexandra), Dec 28; v Central (Alexandra), Dec 30; v Northern (Mt Maunganui), Jan 4; v Auckland (Auckland), Jan 6; v Wellington (Wellington), Jan 9; v Auckland (Dunedin), Jan 12; v Wellington (Dunedin), Jan 15; v Northern (Dunedin), Jan 18; v Canterbury (Christchurch), Jan 21; v Central (Napier), Jan 24.
Otago Sparks: v Canterbury (Alexandra), Dec 28, v Central (Alexandra), Dec 30; v Northern (Mt Maunganui), Jan 4; v Auckland (Mt Maunganui), Jan 6; v Wellington (Wellington), Jan 9; v Auckland (Dunedin), Jan 12; v Wellington (Dunedin), Jan 15; v Northern (Dunedin), Jan 18; v Canterbury (Christchurch), Jan 21; v Central (Napier), Jan 24.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
25 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Returning home: Oli Sail joins Auckland FC
Oli Sail lays down the law at Perth Glory. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ New Zealand international Oli Sail has joined Auckland FC as they boost their goalkeeping stocks. The 29-year-old, who had nine seasons with the Wellington Phoenix before a two-year stint with Perth Glory, has been recruited as the Auckland club reorganises in the wake of Alex Paulsen's departure back to Bournemouth , the English club which had loaned him to Auckland for a season. Sail will vie with All Whites international Michael Woud for the No 1 spot for the coming season. Woud could only watch on last year as Paulsen dominated in the role during the club's breakout inaugural season, which took them to the playoffs before losing to Melbourne Victory in the semifinal. Woud has kept a clean record in the club's current Australian Cup campaign, and will have the gloves for their quarterfinal against Sydney FC on Saturday. Sail will be with the team, but can't play as he has already played for the Glory in cup matches. "As was the case last year, we wanted two exceptional goalkeepers to help us achieve our goals," Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica said in a club statement. "Oli brings experience to the team as well as competition to the group. We saw last season his quality; he was great in both games against us last year, pulling off some exceptional saves. He will be an asset to the club." Woud had worked hard and kept clean sheets in Australian Cup matches, Corica said. "So it's a very competitive position.'' Sail is returning to his home town as he looks to make an impact with the club and revive his international career. "The chance to play professional football in the city I grew up in was a huge draw," says Sail. "I was there on the night the club lifted the Premier's Plate; that was some atmosphere and an incredible crowd. It would have been hard to imagine in Auckland not so long ago, so when the opportunity to be a part of the club was presented to me, there was only ever going to be one answer. He will reunite with assistant coach Danny Hay and former All Whites goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould at Auckland FC. "I know both Danny and Jonathan really well; they have both supported me a lot during my career, and I'm looking forward to the coaching and encouragement they can provide." Sail played 43 games for the Glory in his two seasons there and has notched up 116 A-League games in his career, the majority with the Phoenix.
Otago Daily Times
3 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Alexandra to host opening Super Smash games again
Basking in the Central Otago sun is hard to pass up at the best of times. Add in a couple of games of cricket and you have yourself a good day out. The Otago Sparks and the Otago Volts are taking their opening Super Smash games to sunny Alexandra again with the fixtures the first in their 2025-26 T20 seasons. They will open their campaigns at Molyneux Park — against the Canterbury Magicians and Canterbury Kings respectively — on December 28. They will then meet the Central Hinds and Central Stags on December 30. Alexandra has proved a popular spot for the opening fixtures in recent seasons, and this year is sure to be no different. Doubleheaders remain in the Super Smash this season with the Otago Sparks and Otago Volts playing at the same ground on the same day. Otago then hit the road for a stretch of away games in the new year against Northern (January 4), Auckland (January 6) and Wellington (January 9). Super Smash will then make a welcome return to the University Oval, where the Otago teams will host a spate of home clashes. They meet Auckland (January 12), Wellington (January 15) and Northern (January 18) in Dunedin, before heading away for their final two round robin games against Canterbury (January 21) and Central (January 24). Both finals series will be held at Christchurch's Hagley Oval this season. The men's and women's elimination finals will be held on January 30 and the finals on January 31. The Otago Sparks will be looking to go one better later this year after being runners-up in the 2024-25 women's Super Smash final. After being one of the most dominant teams throughout the year, the Sparks — who went on to win the one-day Hallyburton Johnstone Shield title — lost by eight runs to the Wellington Blaze in the T20 final at the Basin Reserve. It handed the Wellington Blaze back-to-back Super Smash titles, and they will be hoping to make it a threepeat this season. The Otago Volts hit a purple patch in the middle of the season this year but fell off the pace slightly towards the end and missed the playoffs. The Central Stags will be out to defend their men's title after beating the Canterbury Kings by six wickets in last year's final. But the Kings will be desperate to earn their first T20 title in 20 years after being runners-up for the past five seasons. The Super Smash season — which features 64 games across 32 days — gets under way on Boxing Day between the Northern Brave and the Auckland Hearts. Super Smash The schedule Otago Volts: v Canterbury (Alexandra), Dec 28; v Central (Alexandra), Dec 30; v Northern (Mt Maunganui), Jan 4; v Auckland (Auckland), Jan 6; v Wellington (Wellington), Jan 9; v Auckland (Dunedin), Jan 12; v Wellington (Dunedin), Jan 15; v Northern (Dunedin), Jan 18; v Canterbury (Christchurch), Jan 21; v Central (Napier), Jan 24. Otago Sparks: v Canterbury (Alexandra), Dec 28, v Central (Alexandra), Dec 30; v Northern (Mt Maunganui), Jan 4; v Auckland (Mt Maunganui), Jan 6; v Wellington (Wellington), Jan 9; v Auckland (Dunedin), Jan 12; v Wellington (Dunedin), Jan 15; v Northern (Dunedin), Jan 18; v Canterbury (Christchurch), Jan 21; v Central (Napier), Jan 24.
NZ Herald
12 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Oli Sail joins Auckland FC in effort to reclaim All Whites No 1 spot
Goalkeeper Oli Sail has joined Auckland FC in a bid to reclaim his place as the All Whites No 1 before next year's World Cup. 'Every decision you make leading into the World Cup cycle is going to have an influence,' Sail told the Herald. When Auckland-born Sail
