Munro Is Back As Auckland Sides Eye Crucial Super Smash Doubleheader

Colin Munro’s return headlines a pivotal Super Smash doubleheader at Eden Park’s Kennards Hire Community Oval on Thursday 22 January, with the Auckland HEARTS taking on the Northern Brave at 12.40pm, followed by the Auckland ACES facing the Brave at 4.25pm.

The afternoon fixture sees the HEARTS meet the Brave in a congested mid-table contest. After a short break following a demanding run of four games in eight days, the HEARTS return refreshed, knowing a win in the second-to-last round could prove crucial in the race for the top three.

With the ladder tightly packed, both the HEARTS and Brave will be looking to build some breathing room as the competition enters its final stages. The HEARTS will again look to Brooke Halliday to anchor the batting lineup. Halliday is the leading run-scorer in the competition this season, with 209 runs at an average of 34.83, and remains central to Auckland’s finals push.

The evening match brings added intrigue, with the ACES bolstered by the return of several big names. Adi Ashok rejoins the squad following the Blackcaps’ one-day series triumph in India, while the headline news is the return of Colin Munro. One of New Zealand’s most successful exports of the franchise T20 era, Munro is set to play his first Super Smash match since the 2019/20 season.

Munro’s inclusion adds experience and firepower to an already explosive ACES batting lineup as they prepare to take on a Brave side that is building momentum at a key point in the season. With finals aspirations firmly in focus, both Auckland teams will be targeting strong performances in front of a home crowd.

Live coverage of the HEARTS v Northern Brave match begins at 12.40pm on TVNZ+ and DUKE, followed by the ACES v Northern Brave clash at 4.25pm.

Super Smash matches

Auckland HEARTS vs Northern Brave Women | 12.40pm
Auckland ACES vs Northern Brave Men | 4.25pm
Thursday 22 January 2026
Eden Park’s Kennards Hire Community Oval, Auckland

Auckland HEARTS squad: Unavailable due to injury: N/A

Auckland ACES squad Unavailable due to injury: Simon Keene, Jock McKenzie, Jordan Sussex.

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