Last season's Grand Finalists the Central Hinds have got their game-changing England international back for a second summer of Dream11 Super Smash.
As excitement builds for a new campaign - the overall competition beginning on Boxing Day in Hamilton, and the Hinds in action from New Year's Eve in Alexandra, top order powerhouse Holly Armitage is back after playing a big part in the Hinds' success last summer.
Central Districts Cricket Manager, High Performance Dave Meiring said Armitage was looking forward to a Kiwi Christmas as she reconnects with her Hinds family.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Holly back to New Zealand, and to have her services until Round Eight of this season’s campaign.
“Holly obviously contributed on the scorecards last summer, but her off-the-field impact and contributions were also invaluable to a young group developing a fresh, strong Hinds team culture.
“Holly has strong leadership skills and we really appreciated how readily she shared her knowledge with the group and supported our senior players as well.
“She helped to grow the confidence throughout the team that they can perform well on the T20 stage, and that’s exactly what happened.”
The Hinds had been coming off a 2022/23 wooden spoon in the shortest format — but winning became a habit in 2023/24.
Armitage provided impetus at the top as the Hinds’ leading batter, finishing in the top-three runscorers nationally with 318 runs at a 120.91 strike rate.
WHITE FERNS stars Melie Kerr and Suzie Bates were the only batters to come in ahead of her
She top-scored with 78 off just 50 balls in a 34-run Elimination Final win that saw the Hinds progress to their first national T20 Final since 2015/16.
The Blaze ultimately drew on more big-match experience to clinch the tight grand finale - winning by one run, on a weather-impacted, low-scoring DLS afternoon at Eden Park.
But now the slates are clean, the scoreboards ready to be filled in again and "Armo" is “really looking forward to being back with the girls.
“We developed really close bonds last season and enjoyed playing our cricket together," she says.
“It’s exciting to have a chance to play for the team again and to hopefully help them on their way towards the big goal of clinching the trophy.”
The team heads into their fresh T20 campaign coming off three strong one-day wins in the national Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.
The Hinds begin their new Dream11 Super Smash campaign away to the Otago Sparks in Alexandra on 31 January before hitting Nelson for their first home doubleheaders at Saxton Oval, on 4 and 6 Januar, in a “Super Week of Cricket” in the top of the South.
Tickets are on sale now and every match will also be streamed free to air on TVNZ+