Large Crowds Likely to Flock to the Bay Oval Super Smash in the Peak of Summer

The lazy hazy days of summer should bring cricket fans in their hundreds to the Bay Oval at Mount Maunganui, in the middle of the summer holiday break.

Just two days into 2024, a Dream11 Super Smash double header between the Northern Brave and the Wellington Blaze and Firebirds, should see the Bay Oval boundaries under constant attack.
 
There is no bigger opposition for Northern Districts cricket sides than the enemy that lurks over the top of the Bombay hill in the City of Sails.
 
On the 12th January 2024, the Auckland Hearts and Aces will park their buses in the Bay Oval car park, before going into battle with the Northern Brave.
 
No side in this seasons Dream 11 Super Smash will have a bigger target on their back than the Northern Brave men's team. The team drawn from regions within the top half of the North Island has big ambitions on their agenda this season.
 
The Brave are setting their sights on becoming the first NZC Super Smash team to win three consecutive Super Smash titles, since the competition was unveiled in the 2005/06 season.
 
The second Northern Brave outing at the Bay Oval in 2024, is a replay of two dramatic encounters, played out at the Western Bay of Plenty international ground in January 2023.
 
The Northern Districts Cricket representatives batted first and posted an imposing 172 for the loss of just five wickets. Batting at four, hometown hero Joe Carter took to the Auckland Aces bowlers, in blasting an unbeaten 76 off just 41 balls.
 
Brave opener, Tim Seifert, set the platform for Carter's performance in belting 47 from 31 balls to get his side away to a flying start.
 
The Aces were never allowed to settle in and were behind the eight ball from the start. Papamoa resident, Neil Wagner, who has secured an almost legendary following at the Bay Oval, played a big part in the Aces being rolled for 135.
 
Wag's grabbed three wickets at a cost of 26 runs with Kris Clarke also taking a three wicket haul.
 
In a twist from the usual format, the Northern Brave Women, took on the Auckland Heart in the early evening attraction.
 
The Brave Women also dominated with the ball to remove the visitors for only 92 runs. The match went down to the wire with the Brave falling just four runs short of victory.
 
The opening 2024 Dream 11 Super Smash games at the Bay Oval, are also likely to sizzle, with the Wellington representatives likely to have their eyes firmly on the win points on offer, before returning home to New Zealand's Capital City.
 
Dream 11 Super Smash @ the Bay Oval 2023/24
 

2 January 2024
2.00pm - Northern Brave v Wellington Blaze
5.30pm - Northern Brave v Wellington Firebirds
 

12 January 2024
12.30pm - Northern Brave v Auckland Hearts
4.00pm - Northern Brave v Auckland Aces
 
Northern Districts NZC Super Smash Championships - 2013/14, 2017/18, 2021/22, 2022/23.