Wellington Blaze vs Northern Districts Women Prediction: Who Will Win WB vs NDW 2nd ODI Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Match?
The Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 2025-26 continues with an exciting matchup between Wellington Blaze and Northern Districts Women, and fans are already searching for the most accurate Wellington Blaze vs Northern Districts Women prediction ahead of this crucial 2nd ODI. Both sides come into this encounter with contrasting goals—Wellington Blaze are determined to claim their first win of the season, while Northern Districts Women aim to bounce back from a disappointing run last year.
The Blaze finished 4th in the previous edition, showing flashes of brilliance but lacking consistency. Meanwhile, Northern Districts Women ended at the bottom of the table, struggling to find rhythm in both batting and bowling. With this fresh season offering a clean slate, both teams will be desperate to start on a positive note.
The Wellington Blaze vs Northern Districts Women prediction becomes more intriguing when considering their recent head-to-head record. Wellington Blaze hold a strong advantage, winning three of the last four meetings. Their bowling unit, in particular, has consistently created pressure, picking early wickets and controlling the middle overs effectively. Players like Jess Kerr and Xara Jetly have been instrumental in this dominance.
Northern Districts Women, on the other hand, struggled last season due to their underperforming batting lineup. While their top order has talent, inconsistency has been their biggest issue. Players like Yaz Kareem, Tash Wakelin, and Caitlin Gurrey must step up if the team wants to challenge the Blaze. Their bowling also lacked penetration against quality opposition, making early wickets crucial in this match.
With both teams eager to kickstart their tournament, this fixture promises intensity and competitive cricket. Blaze have a more balanced squad with firepower in both departments, while ND Women will rely heavily on their core players to deliver early momentum. Below is the complete match preview, covering squads, playing XIs, fantasy team suggestions, pitch/weather details, and final match prediction.
Match Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Wellington Blaze vs Northern Districts Women, 2nd ODI |
| Tournament | Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 2025-26 |
| Date | Saturday, 15 November 2025 |
| Time | 3:00 AM IST |
| Venue | Cobham Oval, Whangarei |
| Live Streaming | FanCode |
Team Preview
Northern Districts Women Preview
Northern Districts Women had a disappointing outing last season, finishing at the bottom of the table. Captain Jess Watkin will be eager to turn fortunes around in the new campaign. Their biggest challenge has been inconsistent batting performances, with the top order collapsing frequently under pressure. This season, ND Women must focus on building partnerships and minimizing soft dismissals.
The opening combination of Yaz Kareem and Tash Wakelin is experienced and capable of giving solid starts. The middle order revolves around reliable batter Caitlin Gurrey, who will be tasked with anchoring the innings. Supporting her are Holly Topp and skipper Jess Watkin, both crucial to stabilizing the innings. In the lower order, Nensi Patel and Eve Wolland have the ability to accelerate, helping ND Women add quick late runs.
Bowling remains an area requiring improvement. Skye Bowden and Marama Downes must strike early to put pressure on the Blaze. In the middle overs, Kayley Knight and Nensi Patel will play vital roles in restricting scoring. The supporting contributions from Wakelin and Wolland will also determine how effectively they can defend or control totals. ND Women have potential, but execution remains their biggest hurdle.
Wellington Blaze Preview
Wellington Blaze enter the season with optimism, thanks to a well-rounded squad and strong head-to-head results against ND Women. Although they finished 4th last season, their performances showed moments of quality. Captain Georgia Plimmer is expected to lead with purpose as the team seeks a winning start.
Plimmer will open alongside Hannah Francis, forming a dependable top-order combination. The Blaze’s middle order is a major strength, featuring Gemma Simmons, Jess Kerr, and Jess Simmons—players known for building partnerships and rotating strike efficiently. The lower order has the power-packed duo of Xara Jetly and Nicole Baird, who can finish innings strongly.
Their bowling attack is arguably one of the strongest in the tournament. Jess Kerr leads from the front, swinging the new ball and providing early breakthroughs. Jetly and Hamilton will dominate the middle overs with discipline, while Baird and Bryant offer variety and depth. Overall, Blaze appear better balanced and more confident entering this contest.
Team Squads
Wellington Blaze Squad
Georgia Plimmer (c), Hannah Francis, Isla McKenzie, Gemma Simmons, Jess Kerr, Xara Jetly, Nicole Baird, Antonia Hamilton, Natasha Codyre, Rachel Bryant, Jess Simmons.
Northern Districts Women Squad
Jess Watkin (c), Skye Bowden, Sophie Court, Marama Downes, Caitlin Gurrey, Yaz Kareem, Kayley Knight, Nensi Patel, Holly Topp (wk), Tash Wakelin, Eve Wolland.
Probable Playing XI
Wellington Blaze
- Georgia Plimmer (c)
- Hannah Francis
- Isla McKenzie
- Gemma Simmons
- Jess Kerr
- Xara Jetly
- Nicole Baird
- Antonia Hamilton
- Natasha Codyre
- Rachel Bryant
- Jess Simmons
Northern Districts Women
- Yaz Kareem
- Tash Wakelin
- Caitlin Gurrey
- Holly Topp (wk)
- Jess Watkin (c)
- Nensi Patel
- Eve Wolland
- Skye Bowden
- Marama Downes
- Kayley Knight
- Sophie Court
Wellington Blaze vs Northern Districts Women Today’s Fantasy Prediction
| Role | Player |
|---|---|
| WK | Holly Topp |
| BAT | Georgia Plimmer, Caitlin Gurrey, Hannah Francis |
| AR | Jess Kerr (C), Jess Watkin (VC), Xara Jetly |
| BOWL | Nicole Baird, Rachel Bryant, Kayley Knight, Natasha Codyre |
This fantasy XI is designed to balance top-order stability, all-round strength, and reliable bowling options. Jess Kerr is the best choice for captain due to her ability to impact the game with both bat and ball. She consistently picks wickets with the new ball and adds lower-order runs. Jess Watkin is ideal for vice-captain because of her all-round capabilities and experience—if ND Women perform well, she is almost certainly involved.
Holly Topp is selected as the wicketkeeper for her consistent contributions in runs and dismissals. In the batting unit, Georgia Plimmer and Caitlin Gurrey provide solidity, while Hannah Francis adds aggression at the top. Together, they offer strong fantasy points through boundaries and partnerships.
The all-rounders—Kerr, Watkin, and Jetly—form the core of the team, likely to contribute with multiple disciplines. The bowling unit includes Nicole Baird and Rachel Bryant from Blaze, both known for their discipline and wicket-taking ability. From ND Women, Kayley Knight provides mid-overs control, while Natasha Codyre strengthens the Blaze’s bowling lineup.
Overall, this team offers high upside with multiple all-round contributors and dependable top-order batters.
Captain & Vice-Captain Choices
Captain Picks
- Jess Kerr
- Georgia Plimmer
Vice-Captain Picks
- Jess Watkin
- Xara Jetly
Players to Avoid
- Eve Wolland – Low consistency with both bat and ball.
- Sophie Court – Limited recent impact.
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team for Today
Wellington Blaze enter this match as the clear favourites due to their superior balance, recent head-to-head dominance, and overall squad strength. They have beaten Northern Districts Women in three of their last four encounters and appear more confident heading into this season. Their bowling unit has far more depth, with players like Jess Kerr and Xara Jetly capable of controlling the game across all phases. The Blaze’s batting lineup also looks more reliable, featuring match-winners at both the top and middle order.
In contrast, Northern Districts Women continue to struggle with consistency, especially in batting, making them vulnerable against disciplined bowling attacks. Wellington Blaze not only have the momentum but also a more structured and experienced team composition, giving them a significant edge in this contest.
Pitch Report
Cobham Oval traditionally offers a balanced surface, providing assistance to both batters and bowlers. Early movement helps pacers, but once set, batters can score freely. Spinners get grip as the match progresses, especially in the middle overs.
Weather Report
Weather in Whangarei is expected to be clear with minimal rain probability. Temperature around 17–20°C with cool breeze—perfect for a full match.
Broadcast Details
- Live Streaming: FanCode
- TV: Not available in India
Score Prediction
- If Wellington Blaze Bat First: 200+
- If Northern Districts Women Bat First: 198+
Winning Chances
- Wellington Blaze: 60%
- Northern Districts Women: 40%
Toss Prediction
Northern Districts Women to win the toss
Match Prediction
Winner: Wellington Blaze Will Win
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
Disclaimer: Predictions are for entertainment purposes only. We don’t get involved in or promote betting or gambling. Also, We strongly discourage behaviors of participating in illegal activities related to cricket. Our experts try to be as correct as possible, but we do not guarantee 100% correctness.
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