Cricket

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.

Kane Williamson, the former New Zealand captain, has revealed that his decision to decline a central contract was driven by his desire to participate in the inaugural season of the South African T20 league (SA20). The SA20 is scheduled to take place from January 9 to February 8, 2025, coinciding with the Super Smash tournament in New Zealand.Under New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) rules, players must participate in the Super Smash unless they are on international duty to be eligible for a central contract. Williamson's decision to prioritize the SA20 meant he had to forgo the central contract."I want to play as long as I can. There are a number of great competitions during that time, but SA20 looks really exciting. Unfortunately, it meant turning down a central contract," Williamson explained.Despite declining the central contract, Williamson emphasized his unwavering commitment to representing New Zealand in all three formats outside of the SA20. He will miss the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka in January but will be available for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in September, as well as the World Test Championship (WTC) matches against India and Sri Lanka away and the three-match series against England at home."My priority still is, absolutely, playing for New Zealand. I think I might miss maybe a handful of games over a three-week period," Williamson said.Williamson also expressed his excitement about the future of New Zealand's leadership in white-ball cricket. "I've really, really enjoyed my time captaining and it's been a privilege and an honor to do that for a number of years. I'm excited with what's next for the team in terms of the leadership as well and looking forward to being part of that," he added.The 33-year-old batsman did not set a specific timeframe for his international career, stating that he was taking it one year at a time. "In terms of a timeframe, it's difficult to say. I want to keep being fit, doing as well as I can, keep trying to improve. All major events and key series are things that whet the appetite and are an exciting prospect," Williamson said.