Matt Henry's first Dream11 Super Smash game back for the Canterbury Kings saw the BLACKCAP make a quick difference, with a pivotal 3/21 in a vital 11-run win over the Wellington Firebirds.
The result this afternoon at the Cello Basin Reserve continues a late charge from a stacked Kings side who leap-frog the Auckland Aces into fourth spot, ahead of a second clash with the Firebirds, this time at Hagley Oval, on Friday evening.
PHOTOSPORT
Split spoils across the two matches will do neither side any favours as the door begins to swing shut on qualification spots.
However, if the Kings can keep their late charge running hot, and make it two from two against the Firebirds, a tantalising shot at revenge over current leader the Central Stags awaits in their following fixture, also at Hagley Oval, this Sunday.
Matt Boyle (37 off 28 balls) again impressed for the red and blacks, the 22-year-old enjoying his breakthrough T20 summer.
He's now back in the top three men's batters with 249 runs from seven innings, and eyeing up his elder brother Jack who's in second spot with 268 runs for the Stags.
Boyle junior was supported by his captain Cole McConchie (51 off 39) to boost the run rate through the middle of the Kings' innings, before Firebirds firebrand Ben Sears clamped down at the death to limit the damage to 164/7 in their 20 overs.
It took Henry just three balls to pick up his first wicket in response, and crucially he came back in the 14th over to stop a Michael Bracewell rampage, the dangerous Firebirds BLACKCAP having slammed 33 off 17 balls, including two sixes — one of which was smashed out of the ground.
Halfway to Hataitai! 😮
— Dream11 Super Smash (@SuperSmashNZ) January 22, 2025
Michael Bracewell goes BIG LIVE and free in NZ on TVNZ DUKE and TVNZ+ #SuperSmashNZ pic.twitter.com/7pHLPA9wd8