Wellington Firebirds

The Wellington Firebirds, a proud fixture of New Zealand's domestic cricket landscape, have been flaunting their swagger and mastery on the pitch since their establishment in 1873. Rooted in the capital city of Wellington, this team is an essential part of New Zealand cricket's rich tapestry, exuding a legacy that has been meticulously woven over nearly a century and a half.

One can’t talk about the Firebirds without mentioning their remarkable achievements in New Zealand's domestic competitions. They’ve clinched the Plunket Shield—a prestigious first-class cricket championship—numerous times over the decades, with their first victory in 1907-08 setting the stage for future successes. The Ford Trophy (List A cricket) and the Super Smash (T20 competition) have also seen the Firebirds as fierce competitors, with several championship titles under their belts.

The team has seen a host of remarkable talents grace its ranks. Among these, the effervescent Mark Gillespie comes to mind, well-remembered for his fiery pace and ability to turn games on their head. Then there's Luke Ronchi, whose explosive batting has often provided the team with a winning edge. Not to forget Michael Bracewell, whose all-round brilliance continues to be a cornerstone for the Firebirds’ strategy.

Wellington Firebirds have shared intense rivalries with other domestic teams like the Auckland Aces and Canterbury Kings, often resulting in nail-biting encounters. These matches are marked by fierce competition and have, at times, been the decider for titles.

Their style of play? It’s all about the balance of aggression and strategic nuance. The Firebirds are known for their flexibility—a meshing of sharp bowling, dependable batting, and inventive thinking. This adaptability has often proved a winning combination in the playbook.

Beyond the stats and strategy, the Firebirds boast a fan culture that’s both passionate and cherished. Their home ground, the Basin Reserve, is one of the oldest and most picturesque cricket grounds in the world. Its open stands and historic scoreboard lend a timeless aura, drawing locals and visitors to its vibrant atmosphere on match days. It’s more than just a stadium; it's a community hub where generations of fans have witnessed cricketing folklore unfold.

The Firebirds, in many ways, represent not just Wellington’s spirit but also the broader New Zealand ethos of determination, camaraderie, and a rich sporting heritage. This team is as much about the cricket as it is about bringing people together, one boundary and delivery at a time.

Regular Season, 27th Match, Super Smash - January 23, 2026

Canterbury Kings

136/8 (16)

Wellington Firebirds

178/5 (20)

Wellington Firebirds won by 13 runs (DLS Method)

Regular Season, 23rd Match, Super Smash - January 19, 2026

Wellington Firebirds

193/6 (20)

Canterbury Kings

105/10 (16.2)

Wellington Firebirds won by 88 runs

Player of the Match

Samuel Morgan

Regular Season, 20th Match, Super Smash - January 15, 2026

Otago Volts

136/5 (15.4)

Wellington Firebirds

132/7 (16)

Otago Volts won by 5 wickets (with 2 balls remaining)

Player of the Match

Jacob Cumming

Regular Season, 16th Match, Super Smash - January 11, 2026

Wellington Firebirds

185/7 (20)

Northern Brave

189/4 (16.2)

Northern Brave won by 6 wickets (with 22 balls remaining)

Player of the Match

Brett Hampton

Regular Season, 14th Match, Super Smash - January 9, 2026

Wellington Firebirds

150/7 (20)

Otago Volts

152/4 (19.1)

Otago Volts won by 6 wickets (with 5 balls remaining)

Player of the Match

Jack Boyle

Regular Season, 12th Match, Super Smash - January 7, 2026

Wellington Firebirds

195/7 (20)

Central Stags

197/3 (20)

Central Stags won by 2 runs

Player of the Match

Angus Schaw

Regular Season, 8th Match, Super Smash - January 2, 2026

Auckland Aces

Wellington Firebirds

Match abandoned without a ball bowled

Regular Season, 6th Match, Super Smash - December 31, 2025

Northern Brave

181/10 (19.4)

Wellington Firebirds

194/3 (20)

Wellington Firebirds won by 13 runs

Player of the Match

Nick Kelly

Regular Season, 4th Match, Super Smash - December 29, 2025

Wellington Firebirds

187/7 (20)

Auckland Aces

189/5 (19.2)

Auckland Aces won by 5 wickets (with 4 balls remaining)

Player of the Match

Harjot Johal

Regular Season, 2nd Match, Super Smash - December 27, 2025

Central Stags

188/7 (20)

Wellington Firebirds

142/10 (17.5)

Central Stags won by 46 runs

Player of the Match

Dane Cleaver

Michael Bracewell
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Age: 35

Devon Conway
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 34

Tom Blundell
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 35

Michael Pollard
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Age: 36

Malcolm Nofal
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Age: 34

Hamish Bennett
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 39

Luke Woodcock
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Age: 44

Jeetan Patel
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 46

Ollie Newton
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 37

Adam Hose
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 33

James Neesham
Position: Batting Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 35

Peter Younghusband
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Legbreak Googly
Age: 36

Logan van Beek
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 35

Ben Sears
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 28

Troy Johnson
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 28

Iain McPeake
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 35

Rachin Ravindra
Position: Batting Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Age: 26

Lauchie Johns
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Age: 29

Jamie Gibson
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 33

Fraser Colson
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Age: 36

Finn Allen
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Age: 27

Michael Snedden
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 33

Luke Georgeson
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 27

Nathan Smith
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 27

Nick Greenwood
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Age: 26

Tim Robinson
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 24

Jakob Bhula
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 26

Nick Kelly
Position: Top Order Batter
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Age: 32

Adam Milne
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast
Age: 34

Callum McLachlan
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast
Age: 27

Ian McPeake
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 35

Devan Vishvaka
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Legbreak Googly
Age: 23

Muhammad Arslan Abbas
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Left Arm Fast Medium
Age: 22

Jesse Tashkoff
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Age: 25

Gareth Severin
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Age: 26

Liam Dudding
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 31

Basin Reserve
City: Wellington
Country: New Zealand
Capacity: 11600

Cello Basin Reserve
City: Wellington
Country: New Zealand
Capacity: 10000