Cricket: Sparks get started in November

The Otago Sparks' domestic season will get under way with a twenty20 match against Auckland at Eden Park No 2 on November 27.

The sides play back to back one dayers during the following two days but then there is no cricket for four weeks.

The break has been designed to allow players to participate in the inaugural Women's Big Bash League in Australia.

The twenty20 tournament resumes on December 27 with the one day restarting the following day. All round two games will be played in Lincoln with Otago drawn to play Northern Districts.

Then there is a short turnaround with the Sparks hosting Central Districts at Molyneux Park in three games from January 2 to January 4.

The Sparks travel through to Christchurch to play Canterbury in round four which gets under way on January 29.

Otago's final round of games is against Wellington at home at the University Oval from February 6 8.

Wellington beat Otago by 10 wickets in the twenty20 final at the venue last summer, so that fixtures offer the Sparks a shot at redemption.

The one day final is scheduled for February 13 with the twenty20 final planned for the next day.

The two top ranked sides following pool play will contest said finals.

With the White Ferns playing Australia in three one dayers and three twenty20 fixtures at the conclusion of the domestic season, there will be plenty of incentive for players to perform.

''It's a chance for current White Ferns to make sure they head in with form, but also an audition for new players to show what they can do,'' White Ferns coach Haidee Tiffen said.

''Home series against Australia don't come around very often - every player wants to be a part of that.''

 

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