Davies wants Sparks to stay brave

Sparks coach Gareth Davies has dared his side to be brave as they look to bounce back.

The Sparks sit third in the Super Smash with a record of two wins and two losses, including a 24-run defeat to the Brave and an agonising one-run loss to the Hearts earlier this week.

"I’m disappointed to get the two results in the last two games that we’ve had, where we thought we put us into a real good fighting position with our fielding, and our bowling performance, to keep the two teams to a total where we thought we could actually chase," Davies said.

"We just didn’t quite get over the line and we just need that momentum shift.

"We certainly did it with the ball, but we just didn’t quite execute with the bat and under pressure."

What has been a positive for the Sparks, however, is the way different players have stepped up at different moments.

Seamer Emma Black has been exceptional in the power play and at the death, spinner PJ Watkins has been effective opening the bowling attack, Eva Gray has had her moments, and young Louisa Kotkamp has "been a bit of a gem, to use Davies’ words.

Polly Inglis and Bella James stepped up with the bat, but the Sparks will welcome back heavy hitter Laura Harris when they play the Wellington Blaze today.

Harris, who returns from Queensland duties, whacked the equal-fastest half-century in T20 history, off just 15 balls, late last month.

"We’ve got some firepower from ball one and naturally [she] brings a lot of experience into the group as well — we can still learn off her," Davies said.

The Sparks’ opponents will also seek to reverse their fortunes in Wellington this afternoon.

The defending champion Blaze have lost their past two games.

They were beaten by five runs by the Hinds, who leapfrogged the Blaze for top spot, and fell by five wickets to the Hearts.

They are without White Ferns star Melie Kerr, who is on WIPL duty, but still have firepower in Australian Ellyse Perry.

"I think if we just still keep to our basics, we’ve got one of the best power play bowling attacks in the comp at the moment," Davies said.

"The key message for the group is just keeping brave options available at all times and we don’t want them to go into their shell.

"We want them to take the game forward, and be putting their best foot forward, and trying to win the game no matter what situation we’re in."

The Volts will also look to bounce back against the Firebirds this afternoon.

Max Chu remains captain with Luke Georgeson still sidelined.