The Central Stags have held onto their four-point lead over the currently becalmed Wellington Firebirds after the Firebirds' close two-wicket loss to the Auckland Aces in Auckland this evening.
The Stags have a chance to stretch that lead further tomorrow when Dream11 Super Smash returns to Nelson's Saxton Oval for the first time in more than five years, with the Stags having played six rounds, and the Firebirds having now played seven.
Two of the league's highest runscorers are set to go toe-to-toe at Saxton in Central Stags big-hitter Josh Clarkson - the Nelson rep also celebrating his birthday tomorrow at his home ground - and classy Dean Foxcroft, one of the key players in the Volts' charge up the table.
Otago Volts spinner Foxcroft (9) and paceman Michael Rae (10) and Central Stags spinner Jayden Lennox (9) and left-arm paceman Ray Toole (9) are meanwhile currently the four top wicket-takers in the men's competition, setting up a spicy clash.
Dean Foxcroft is on fire with bat and ball | PHOTOSPORT
The Dream11 Super Smash Grand Finals on 11 February are now just three weeks away, with lower-placed teams beginning to feel the heat as they look to keep their campaigns alive.
The top qualifier in the men's and women's league proceeds direct to the Grand Final, while the second and third placed teams after the 10 rounds of the regular season will fight for the remaining spot in an Elimination Final, two days earlier on 9 February.
Tomorrow's ground-breaking day at Saxton Oval begins at 11am with the Hinds v Sparks, followed by the Stags v Volts at 2.40pm, and both games live on both Spark Sport and TVNZ One with livescores at www.nzc.nz and on the NZC app.