Round up for the week ending 31st December

The Christmas week was a busy one for a number of our players. We start this edition of Winter Watch in New Zealand where Chris Jordan played twice for Northern Districts Knights between Christmas and New Year in the Super Smash T20 competition. Both matches were against Central Districts Stags. On Wednesday 27th December, Chris made a brisk 29 not out off 14 balls as the Knights fell 50 runs short of victory. Earlier, the Stags made 201-4, with Chris going wicketless. The Knights got their revenge at New Plymoth three days later, however, winning by five wickets. Chris took 0-29 from his four overs, but wasn’t required to bat.

Over in Australia, both the men’s and women’s Big Bash continued with all of Sussex’s representatives in action. On Boxing Day, Luke Wright made 21 from 14 balls at the top of the order for Melbourne Stars as they ended up losing by 13 runs to the Perth Scorchers at the WACA.

Jofra Archer and Tymal Mills combined for the Hobart Hurricanes during their match against Sydney Thunder at Launceston on Saturday 30th December. Jofra took 0-22 and Tymal 0-32 as the Thunder posted 166-5. Despite Jofra second top-scoring with 25 not out off 16 balls, the Hurricanes were dismissed for 109 in response. Tymal was the last man out for one.

Georgia Elwiss played twice for Melbourne Stars Women last week, both times against Perth Scorchers at the WACA. On Boxing Day, the Stars lost the first of the two encounters by 9 wickets, with Georgia bowling 2.3 wicketless overs for 37 runs and scoring five with the bat. The Stars got their revenge a day later, however, with a 12-run win. In making 25 from 24 balls, Georgia played a big part in helping the Stars post 149-6. She then took 0-26 from four overs to help the Stars to their first victory of this year’s campaign.