Stars missing but Sparks now better placed

NO Katey Martin. No Hayley Jensen. No Millie Cowan. No problem.

Otago Sparks coach Craig Cumming believes his side is much better placed than it was earlier in the season when it was missing several star players.

The women’s oneday tournament resumes tomorrow.

Otago is still searching for a win in the competition this season and will have an opportunity to get off the mark against Northern Districts in a

doubleheader at Seddon Park this weekend.

With the Whites Ferns in camp preparing for their series against England, Northern Districts will be without lefthander Brooke Halliday and Otago will not be able to lean on

Martin and Jensen.

Millie Cowan is also unavailable for the Sparks as she has returned to her teaching job.

While the Sparks’ batting depth will undergo a stern test in the absence of the trio, Cumming believes he has seen positive signs the team has improved.

‘‘We are back to the squad we had at the start of the season except we’ve gained a huge amount of experience through the Super Smash,’’ he said.

‘‘So it is a good chance for us to go and show where we are at without our White Ferns.’’

The Sparks lost all six games during the opening rounds of the competition.

It was certainly not unexpected. The Sparks are a young side and depth was always going to be an issue.

But Otago finished the Super Smash strongly. It came painfully close to beating Canterbury which went on to win the title.

‘‘I think our expectations are higher now having gone through the Super Smash.

‘‘We saw at the back end of that competition that we were competitive. We should have beaten the team that won the competition and that was without Hayley, who was injured.

‘‘So we only had one White Fern and that team is very much similar to what is going to be put out against Northern Districts.’’

Wicketkeeperbatswoman Sophie Gray, allrounder Saffron Wilson and Olivia Gain join what is otherwise a now familiar lineup.

Cumming will not be travelling with the team for medical reasons. Mark Bracewell and Suzie Bates will fill in during his absence.