0
0
4wd
1
1
4
1
= 12
Match Details
NB vs WEL, 16th T20, Super Smash 2025-26 live
NB
189-4(16.2)
Northern Brave won by 6 wickets 🏆
WEL
(20.0)185-7
+
P'ship : 35(22)
Commentary
All
Highlights
Overs
W
6s
4s
Inn 1
Inn 2
Milestone
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Ben Pomare (Northern Brave Captain): "It’s a really satisfying performance, to be honest. We spoke before the game about building some momentum, and I thought we did that beautifully with the ball. Blundell and Robinson batted really well for them, but the way we pulled it back and restricted them to 180 was a great effort. Then, Ihama just came out and finished the job for us, which was massive.
The conditions definitely threw a bit of a spanner in the works. That breeze made things tricky, especially trying to manage who was bowling from which end. It was tough juggling that on the field, but having Mitchell Santner at the top of his mark really helped. He was constantly talking, helping set clear plans, and that made a big difference in how we executed.
Clarke and Brett at the top of the order have been huge for us. They’re very explosive, and for two games in a row now, we’ve had strong Powerplays. That early momentum is so important in this format, and it’s something we’re really building on moving forward.
We’re about halfway through the competition now, and with a tie followed by two wins, things are starting to click. The key for us is just doing the simple things well and learning quickly from each game. I think we’ve done that nicely after the first couple of matches, and hopefully we can carry this momentum into the next few games.
As for personnel, Mitch will be with us for the next game, which is great. The rest of the squad is still being finalised, but the focus remains the same - keep improving, keep learning, and keep the momentum rolling."
The conditions definitely threw a bit of a spanner in the works. That breeze made things tricky, especially trying to manage who was bowling from which end. It was tough juggling that on the field, but having Mitchell Santner at the top of his mark really helped. He was constantly talking, helping set clear plans, and that made a big difference in how we executed.
Clarke and Brett at the top of the order have been huge for us. They’re very explosive, and for two games in a row now, we’ve had strong Powerplays. That early momentum is so important in this format, and it’s something we’re really building on moving forward.
We’re about halfway through the competition now, and with a tie followed by two wins, things are starting to click. The key for us is just doing the simple things well and learning quickly from each game. I think we’ve done that nicely after the first couple of matches, and hopefully we can carry this momentum into the next few games.
As for personnel, Mitch will be with us for the next game, which is great. The rest of the squad is still being finalised, but the focus remains the same - keep improving, keep learning, and keep the momentum rolling."
Tom Blundell (Wellington Captain): "The wind definitely played a massive role today. We’re pretty used to windy conditions down here, but those gusts were something else and quite unusual, even by local standards. It makes things really difficult because one end almost becomes unplayable, while the other turns into a complete free-hit downwind. Executing plans in those conditions is tough, and unfortunately, we just couldn’t nail it today.
It’s a frustrating situation because it feels like we’ve put together some decent performances without getting the reward on the scoreboard. Playing good cricket in patches isn’t enough at this level - you need to be consistent for the full game to get results, and that’s something we haven’t quite managed yet.
We’ve got a few days off now before heading down south, which comes at a good time. It gives us a chance to reset, reflect properly, and really look deep and wide at what we can improve. The focus will be on tightening those areas and making sure our good moments translate into full performances for the rest of the competition."
It’s a frustrating situation because it feels like we’ve put together some decent performances without getting the reward on the scoreboard. Playing good cricket in patches isn’t enough at this level - you need to be consistent for the full game to get results, and that’s something we haven’t quite managed yet.
We’ve got a few days off now before heading down south, which comes at a good time. It gives us a chance to reset, reflect properly, and really look deep and wide at what we can improve. The focus will be on tightening those areas and making sure our good moments translate into full performances for the rest of the competition."
Brett Hampton (Player of the Match): "It was great out there today, although the weather made things really tough. Bowling in those conditions wasn’t easy, especially trying to get the angles right, and the outfield was lightning quick - it honestly felt like everything was flying away. But I thought the way we stuck at it as a bowling group was sensational, particularly after the first ten overs. We really pulled it back well, and keeping them to 180 was a huge effort.
From a batting point of view, it’s been really enjoyable. I’m loving opening the batting and having that licence to go after the bowlers. Batting alongside someone like Clarke, or even Ben or Santner, who score so freely all around the park, makes it a lot easier. Once you get a partnership going, the momentum just builds naturally, and that stand of over 100 was really pleasing.
This win means a lot for us in terms of momentum. After a couple of tight games - a tie, and a narrow loss - we really needed that result last week and again today. T20 cricket is such a momentum-based format, so getting a couple of wins in a row is massive for the group. Hopefully, we can carry that confidence into McLean Park on Tuesday.
Physically, I’m feeling good. I might be a little older now, but everything’s holding up well. T20 is a great format in that sense - high intensity, but you can manage it smartly. I’m just enjoying contributing with bat, ball, and in the field, and looking forward to the rest of the competition."
From a batting point of view, it’s been really enjoyable. I’m loving opening the batting and having that licence to go after the bowlers. Batting alongside someone like Clarke, or even Ben or Santner, who score so freely all around the park, makes it a lot easier. Once you get a partnership going, the momentum just builds naturally, and that stand of over 100 was really pleasing.
This win means a lot for us in terms of momentum. After a couple of tight games - a tie, and a narrow loss - we really needed that result last week and again today. T20 cricket is such a momentum-based format, so getting a couple of wins in a row is massive for the group. Hopefully, we can carry that confidence into McLean Park on Tuesday.
Physically, I’m feeling good. I might be a little older now, but everything’s holding up well. T20 is a great format in that sense - high intensity, but you can manage it smartly. I’m just enjoying contributing with bat, ball, and in the field, and looking forward to the rest of the competition."
Player of the Match: Brett Hampton
11:59 AM IST, 7:29 PM LOCAL TIME: In cricket, belief travels faster than the ball… and tonight, Northern Brave believed harder. So how did this game look when the dust finally settled? Wellington put up a strong 185/7 and felt they had enough on the board. Northern Brave, though, made it look like a chase from another universe. What was expected to be a tight finish turned into a commanding six-wicket win with 22 balls to spare. One team built well and faded slightly. The other started fast and never looked back. Runs came early. Pressure never arrived. That, in short, was the story.
What happened when the chase began? The intent was loud from ball one. Hampton went after everything in his arc. Clarke matched him stroke for stroke. Wellington rotated five bowlers in five overs, searching for control. None came. Northern Brave were 34/0 after three overs. Fifty came up in just four. The Powerplay ended with 84 without loss, the asking rate already dipped. Momentum? Fully Brave-shaped.
How brutal was the acceleration phase? Hampton reached his fifty in just 21 balls. Clarke followed soon after, bringing up his own half-century in 25 deliveries. The hundred came up in the seventh over. Yes. Seventh. The opening stand raced to 121, a partnership built on clean hitting and fearless intent. Wellington had runs, but Northern Brave had answers. All of them aggressive.
Did Wellington find a way back at all? Briefly. Ben Sears bowled a superb 11th over and broke the massive stand, removing Clarke for 54. He struck again soon after, adding a second wicket. A flicker of hope. The required rate was still under six, but wickets bring nerves. Or so Wellington hoped. The Brave dipped slightly. But never panicked.
Zeb chipped in with a wicket, dismissing Santner. Another small opening. Another door slightly ajar. But Bell stood firm. Kuggeleijn joined him and made sure there were no alarms. Singles were enough. Boundaries arrived when needed. The equation kept shrinking. From pressure to inevitability, the shift was smooth and silent.
Bell stayed unbeaten on 22. Kuggeleijn provided the final push with a strike rate north of 200. Northern Brave crossed the line in just 16.2 overs, ending on 189/4. Six wickets. 22 balls remaining. A chase that never looked in doubt after the Powerplay.
Earlier in the match, how did Wellington build their total? After being asked to bat, Wellington came out positively. Robinson and Blundell stitched together a massive second-wicket stand of 132. Blundell’s 73 off 41 was pure authority. Robinson’s 65 gave the innings shape. At 138/1 after 14 overs, 200 looked possible. Very possible.
So where did Wellington lose their grip? The last six overs. Just 47 runs and six wickets. Pringle and Kuggeleijn applied the brakes perfectly. The run-out of Abbas hurt. Ravindra’s dismissal stalled momentum. From dominance to damage control, Wellington slipped to 185/7. Competitive, yes. Defendable? Against this chase, not quite.
What happened when the chase began? The intent was loud from ball one. Hampton went after everything in his arc. Clarke matched him stroke for stroke. Wellington rotated five bowlers in five overs, searching for control. None came. Northern Brave were 34/0 after three overs. Fifty came up in just four. The Powerplay ended with 84 without loss, the asking rate already dipped. Momentum? Fully Brave-shaped.
How brutal was the acceleration phase? Hampton reached his fifty in just 21 balls. Clarke followed soon after, bringing up his own half-century in 25 deliveries. The hundred came up in the seventh over. Yes. Seventh. The opening stand raced to 121, a partnership built on clean hitting and fearless intent. Wellington had runs, but Northern Brave had answers. All of them aggressive.
Did Wellington find a way back at all? Briefly. Ben Sears bowled a superb 11th over and broke the massive stand, removing Clarke for 54. He struck again soon after, adding a second wicket. A flicker of hope. The required rate was still under six, but wickets bring nerves. Or so Wellington hoped. The Brave dipped slightly. But never panicked.
Zeb chipped in with a wicket, dismissing Santner. Another small opening. Another door slightly ajar. But Bell stood firm. Kuggeleijn joined him and made sure there were no alarms. Singles were enough. Boundaries arrived when needed. The equation kept shrinking. From pressure to inevitability, the shift was smooth and silent.
Bell stayed unbeaten on 22. Kuggeleijn provided the final push with a strike rate north of 200. Northern Brave crossed the line in just 16.2 overs, ending on 189/4. Six wickets. 22 balls remaining. A chase that never looked in doubt after the Powerplay.
Earlier in the match, how did Wellington build their total? After being asked to bat, Wellington came out positively. Robinson and Blundell stitched together a massive second-wicket stand of 132. Blundell’s 73 off 41 was pure authority. Robinson’s 65 gave the innings shape. At 138/1 after 14 overs, 200 looked possible. Very possible.
So where did Wellington lose their grip? The last six overs. Just 47 runs and six wickets. Pringle and Kuggeleijn applied the brakes perfectly. The run-out of Abbas hurt. Ravindra’s dismissal stalled momentum. From dominance to damage control, Wellington slipped to 185/7. Competitive, yes. Defendable? Against this chase, not quite.
OVER 17
Northern Brave
189/4
Scott Kuggeleijn
15(7)
Xavier Bell
22(21)
Logan van Beek
0-29(3.2)
16.2 Beek to S Kuggeleijn
4b FOUR! DONE AND DUSTED! Short of a length, angling into the body of the batter. Scott gets cramped as he uses his feet and tries to pull but misses. The ball flies over the leaping keeper to meet the deep fine leg fence. THE NORTHERN BRAVE HAVE DEFEATED WELLINGTON BY SIX WICKETS WITH 22 BALLS TO SPARE!!!
16.1 Beek to S Kuggeleijn
0 Short of a length and around off. Scott swats it off the toe end of the bat to mid on. Another dot.
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