Super Smash 2024-25 to Kick Off with Defending Champions Clash

The Super Smash 2024-25, New Zealand's premier domestic T20 cricket tournament, is set to kick off on Boxing Day with a blockbuster clash between defending champions Auckland Aces and 2021-22 and 2022-23 winners Northern Districts at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The women's Super Smash will also commence on the same day, with Northern Brave facing Auckland Hearts at the same venue.

Defending women's champions Wellington Blaze will begin their quest for a ninth Super Smash title on New Year's Day against Northern Brave in Hamilton. Last year's men's finalists Canterbury Kings will open their campaign on the second day of the competition against Otago Volts in Alexandra, while last season's women's finalists Central Hinds will play their first game against Otago Sparks on December 31.

The tournament, which will run from December 26 to February 2, will be played across ten venues in New Zealand and comprise 64 games - 32 men's and women's double-headers. For the first time in the competition's history, the final will be played at a pre-determined venue, with the Basin Reserve in Wellington hosting both the men's and women's elimination finals on February 1 and the two finals on February 2.

"The Super Smash keeps on growing in popularity and it's really exciting to see it continue to be so accessible to kiwis across the country," said NZC CEO Scott Weenink. "It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase our game to fans both new and old, while building the profiles of our domestic teams and our rising stars."

The tournament will run concurrently with New Zealand's men's white-ball series against Sri Lanka, which includes T20Is and ODIs from December to January 11. The New Zealand women's players are expected to be available for the entire Super Smash tournament.

Tags: #SuperSmash, #Cricket, #NewZealand, #AucklandAces, #NorthernDistricts