Wellington Blaze vs Northern Brave Prediction: Who Will Win WB vs NB 5th ODI Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Match?
The Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 2025/26 continues with yet another exciting clash as Wellington Blaze take on Northern Brave Women in the 5th ODI at Cobham Oval, Whangarei. Both teams have met twice already this season, and Wellington Blaze have emerged victorious on both occasions. This contest has naturally intensified fan interest in the Wellington Blaze vs Northern Brave prediction, as Blaze appear confident and balanced while Northern Brave look desperate to bounce back. Northern Brave have shown glimpses of potential, but inconsistency continues to hurt them in pressure moments. As they prepare to face a strong Wellington unit again, questions around their batting stability and death bowling remain important talking points.
From Wellington’s perspective, their squad looks in great rhythm—batters like Georgia Plimmer, Xara Jetly, and Jess Kerr have shown temperament in tough conditions, while the bowling unit is functioning with impressive discipline. Another mention of the Wellington Blaze vs Northern Brave match outlook reflects Wellington’s dominance so far, but Northern Brave have enough firepower—like Caitlin Gurrey, Nensi Patel, and Jess Watkin—to change the narrative if they execute their plans well.
Cobham Oval has produced challenging games so far, with early movement for seamers and a surface that rewards patience. A score around 240 is considered highly competitive, making early partnerships and disciplined bowling crucial. With both teams aiming to solidify their early-season standing, this 5th ODI promises a tight and tactical battle. Let’s dive into the full preview, squad details, fantasy predictions, pitch/weather reports, and final match prediction.
Match Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Wellington Blaze vs Northern Brave, 5th ODI |
| Date | Sunday, 16 November 2025 |
| Time | 3:00 AM IST |
| Venue | Cobham Oval, Whangarei |
| Live Streaming | FanCode |
Team Preview
Northern Brave Women Preview
Northern Brave enter this match looking to bounce back from back-to-back defeats against Wellington Blaze. Their season opener was disappointing—they could only post 133 after choosing to bat first. Holly Topp showed resilience with 32 off 53, but the rest of the lineup struggled to build partnerships. The Brave have players capable of producing strong totals, but execution has been inconsistent so far.
Caitlin Gurrey remains their most reliable batter and star performer. Last season, she hammered 523 runs at an average of over 52, and the team will rely on her to anchor their innings. Alongside her, players like Nensi Patel, Jess Watkin, and Yasmeen Kareem have the potential to score big but must convert starts into meaningful contributions. Their batting depth is good on paper but needs application in the middle overs.
In the bowling department, Brave have solid wicket-takers in Nensi Patel and Jess Watkin—both among the leading wicket-takers last season. Their ability to strike early and control the middle overs will be key at Cobham Oval. Marama Downes, Tash Wakelin, and Knight offer supportive pace options.
Overall, Brave have the talent but must improve their batting discipline and bowling plans to challenge Wellington.
Wellington Blaze Women Preview
Wellington Blaze have kicked off their season in style, winning both matches against Northern Brave convincingly. Their last victory came by eight wickets, showcasing both their bowling strength and batting maturity. On a tricky surface, Blaze restricted Brave to 133, and then comfortably chased the target.
Georgia Plimmer led the charge with a gritty 48 off 69, showing her value as captain and opener. Xara Jetly played a patient unbeaten 38 off 76, displaying fine temperament on a bowling-friendly pitch. Jess Kerr added a vital 23* off 19, showing her ability to finish strongly.
With the ball, Blaze were superb. Natasha Codyre stunned Brave with brilliant figures of 4/28. Jessica Simmons (2/14) and Jess Kerr (1/17) maintained tight lines and ensured wickets at regular intervals. Blaze’s bowling unit is clearly in top form, making them a threat on any surface.
Hannah Francis, last season’s top scorer with 330 runs, remains a crucial batter—expected to contribute 30+ consistently. With a balanced squad and strong momentum, Blaze enter this match as favourites.
Team Squads
Wellington Blaze Squad
Georgia Plimmer (c), Hannah Francis, Xara Jetly, Jess Kerr, Jessica McFadyen (wk), Isla McKenzie, Sam Mackinder, Jessica Simmons, Nicole Baird, Natasha Codyre, Rachel Bryant.
Northern Brave Squad
Jess Watkin (c), Yasmeen Kareem, Tash Wakelin, Caitlin Gurrey, Nensi Patel, Eve Wolland, Holly Topp (wk), Lucy Boucher, Marama Downes, Kayley Knight, Sophie Court.
Probable Playing XI
Wellington Blaze
- Georgia Plimmer (c)
- Hannah Francis
- Xara Jetly
- Jess Kerr
- Jessica McFadyen (wk)
- Isla McKenzie
- Sam Mackinder
- Jessica Simmons
- Nicole Baird
- Natasha Codyre
- Rachel Bryant
Northern Brave
- Jess Watkin (c)
- Yasmeen Kareem
- Tash Wakelin
- Caitlin Gurrey
- Nensi Patel
- Eve Wolland
- Holly Topp (wk)
- Lucy Boucher
- Marama Downes
- Kayley Knight
- Sophie Court
Wellington Blaze vs Northern Brave Today’s Fantasy Prediction – 16th November
| Role | Player |
|---|---|
| WK | Holly Topp |
| BAT | Georgia Plimmer, Caitlin Gurrey, Hannah Francis |
| AR | Jess Watkin (VC), Jess Kerr (C), Nensi Patel |
| BOWL | Natasha Codyre, Jessica Simmons, Rachel Bryant, Kayley Knight |
This fantasy lineup is constructed to balance batting reliability, all-round impact, and wicket-taking potential. Jess Kerr is the ideal captain choice due to her dual-threat ability—she contributes significantly with both bat and ball. Jess Watkin, a proven all-rounder for Northern Brave, is a fitting vice-captain as she can shift momentum with wickets or impactful runs.
Holly Topp is selected as the wicketkeeper because of her recent form and consistency behind the stumps. Batting selections include Georgia Plimmer, Caitlin Gurrey, and Hannah Francis—three batters capable of building long innings and scoring heavily under pressure.
In the all-round department, Jess Watkin, Nensi Patel, and Jess Kerr strengthen the middle overs with dependable spells and crucial contributions with the bat. The bowling attack includes Codyre, Simmons, Bryant, and Knight—each offering wicket-taking ability. Codyre especially stands out after her 4-wicket spell in the previous match.
This lineup ensures reliability across all categories, maximizing fantasy scoring opportunities.
Captain & Vice-Captain Picks
Captain Choices
- Jess Kerr
- Georgia Plimmer
Vice-Captain Choices
- Jess Watkin
- Hannah Francis
Players to Avoid
- Sophie Court – lacks consistency and impact.
- Lucy Boucher – fewer fantasy returns recently.
Favourite Team for Today
Wellington Blaze enter this match as clear favourites due to their strong start to the season, superior squad balance, and dominant recent performances against Northern Brave. Their bowlers have been exceptional, consistently restricting the opposition to below-par totals. Codyre, Kerr, and Simmons have created a formidable bowling trio that can trouble any batting lineup. Batting-wise, Georgia Plimmer and Jetly are showing maturity and situational awareness, making their run chases calm and controlled.
Northern Brave possess talented players but have struggled to maintain partnerships and apply sustained pressure. Their over-reliance on Gurrey and Watkin leaves them vulnerable. Considering form, depth, and confidence, Wellington Blaze hold a clear advantage in this contest.
Pitch Report
Cobham Oval offers early help to seamers due to fresh grass and morning moisture. However, as the day progresses, the pitch becomes easier for batting with true bounce and moderate pace. Spinners get some help in the latter overs as the surface slows slightly. A competitive total here is around 240 runs.
Weather Report
The weather in Whangarei is expected to be clear with partial sunshine and no rain interruptions. Ideal for a full 50-over contest.
Broadcast Details
- Live Streaming: FanCode
- Telecast: Not Available in India
Toss Prediction
Northern Brave 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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