Wellington

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced a revised points structure for the upcoming Women’s Super Smash season, aimed at encouraging higher-scoring matches and aligning the domestic competition with evolving international T20 standards, according to the NZC website.

The Women’s Super Smash will begin on Friday, December 26, at Seddon Park, with hosts Northern Brave taking on Auckland Aces and Hearts.

Under the new system, teams can earn only one bonus point per match. This bonus point can be secured either by scoring 150 runs or more—whether batting first or second—or by achieving a run rate more than 1.25 times that of the opposition in the second innings. Bonus points will not be applicable in the elimination match or the grand final.

NZC said an internal analysis of global trends across international and leading domestic competitions revealed a significant increase in scoring rates, boundary percentages and first-innings averages, indicating a shift in what is now considered a competitive T20 performance.

WHITE FERNS head coach Ben Sawyer said the revised points structure would incentivise playing styles that better prepare players for international cricket.

“It’s an exciting addition to the competition,” Sawyer said. “It’ll reward both aggressive batting and proactive, wicket-taking bowling plans, which are the key skillsets required in this format.”

He added that the change is expected to encourage teams to align their approach with international standards, thereby raising the quality of the domestic game and strengthening players’ readiness for the global stage.

“With high-scoring matches expected at next year’s T20 World Cup in June, this is a great opportunity for our players to prepare,” Sawyer said, while noting that the bonus-point system alone would not solve all challenges related to batting standards.

Wellington Blaze head coach Jonny Bassett-Graham also welcomed the move, calling it a positive step for women’s cricket.

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“It’s a great development for the women’s competition. It will promote entertaining T20 cricket and help players develop the skillsets needed to progress to the international level,” he said.