The Super Smash T20 Cup is one of the oldest T20 domestic competitions in the world. It has been played once every year in New Zealand among six top teams. The inaugural season of this competition was played back in 2005-06, and since then, there have been multiple successful editions hosted so far.
Four of the six teams are from North Island, while the two teams are from South Island in New Zealand. This tournament is operated under the supervision of the New Zealand Cricket Board. The tournament is played on the basis of a double round-robin format and then elimination finals.
Auckland Aces are the most successful team in the competition with five titles. In this article, we will talk about the list of winners for the Super Smash T20 League from the first season to the latest.
Super Smash T20 League Winners List (2005-2024)
| Season | Winner | Runners |
|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | Canterbury Wizards | Auckland Aces |
| 2006–07 | Auckland Aces | Otago Volts |
| 2007–08 | Central Stags | Northern Brave |
| 2008–09 | Otago Volts | Canterbury Wizards |
| 2009–10 | Central Stags | Auckland Aces |
| 2010–11 | Auckland Aces | Central Stags |
| 2011-12 | Auckland Aces | Canterbury Wizards |
| 2012-13 | Otago Volts | Wellington Firebirds |
| 2013-14 | Northern Brave | Otago Volts |
| 2014-15 | Wellington Firebirds | Auckland Aces |
| 2015-16 | Auckland Aces | Otago Volts |
| 2016-17 | Wellington Firebirds | Central Stags |
| 2017-18 | Northern Brave | Central Stags |
| 2018-19 | Central Stags | Northern Brave |
| 2019-20 | Wellington Firebirds | Auckland Aces |
| 2020-21 | Wellington Firebirds | Canterbury Wizards |
| 2021-22 | Northern Brave | Canterbury Wizards |
| 2022-23 | Northern Brave | Canterbury Wizards |
| 2023-24 | Auckland Aces | Canterbury Wizards |
| 2024-2025 | Central Stags | Canterbury |
1. Canterbury Wizards – 2005-06
The inaugural season was played in 2005-06, which had seven matches. Two groups were divided with three teams each, and one top team from both groups made it to the final. From South Group, Canterbury, and from North, it was Auckland that qualified. These two teams met in the final, and Canterbury won the final by 6 wickets to win the maiden season.
2. Auckland Aces – 2006-07
The second edition was played back in 2006-07, which has 16 matches in total. Under the captaincy of Richard Jones, the Auckland Aces finished the group at the top and made it to the final. They faced Otago in the final and won it by 60 runs after scoring 211 in the first innings. With that, they became only the second team to win the title.
3. Central Stags – 2007-08
The third edition saw the format change as all teams played one game each against the other five teams, and the top two ranked teams played in the final. Central Stags and Northern Districts finished in the top two and made it to the final. In the final, Central Stags beat the Northern Districts under the captaincy of Jamie How to lift their maiden Super Smash title.
4. Otago Volts – 2008-09
The fourth edition saw the format change as all teams played 8 group matches, and the top two ranked teams played in the final. Otago Volts finished the group stage at the top under Craig Cumming and faced Canterbury in the final. But unfortunately, the final was called off due to rain, and because Otago Volts finished the group at the top of the group, they were chosen the winner of the tournament.
5. Central Stags – 2009–10
The fifth edition saw Central Stags becoming the first team to win two titles of the Super Smash T20 tournament. They finished the group stage at the top and faced Auckland in the final. Captain Jamie How once again took this team to win the title as they beat Auckland by 78 runs. Ross Taylor played a blistering 30-ball 80-run inning in the final.
6. Auckland Aces – 2010-11
After losing the final in 2009-10, the Auckland Aces were keen to do unfinished business in the next season. That’s what they did, and they finished the group stage at the top and made it to the final. They faced then-champion Central Stags in the final and took their revenge by beating them by just four runs. That title win came under the captaincy of Gareth Hopkins.
7. Auckland Aces – 2011-12
In the seventh edition, Auckland Aces became the first team to win successful titles in the Super Smash T20 tournament. Gareth Hopkins led them to another final after finishing the group at the top. This time, they were up against Canterbury in the final and won it by 44 runs to lift their third title. Martin Guptill was the hero for them, who scored 70 off 41 balls.
8. Otago Volts – 2012-13
In the 8th edition, Wellington made their first Super Smash Final, but they were unfortunate to finish on the losing side. Because Otago Volts went on to lift the title under the captaincy of Derek de Boorder. These two teams met in the final played at University Oval, Dunedin. Wellington made 143/9 while Otago won 145/6 to win the final by four wickets. James Fuller took 4/24 in the final.
9. Northern Knights – 2013-14
After winning the 8th edition, Otago Volts made it to the final in the next season after finishing the group at the top. But they had a strong opponent in Northern Knights in the final. The Knights were lucky to make it to the final on the basis of better NRR. They had similar points (24) like Canterbury, but due to better NRR, they qualified for the final. They took it with both hands and beat Otago in the final by 5 wickets to lift their maiden Super Smash T20 tournament. Daniel Flynn ended up as the winning captain.
10. Wellington Firebirds – 2014-15
The Wellington Firebirds have won four Super Smash T20 titles, but they have to wait ten years to get their hands on the trophy. That win came in 2014-15 when James Franklin was the captain. Wellington finished the group in second place and faced Northern Districts in Qualifier 1. They won that game and made it to the final, where they faced Auckland. In the final, they registered a close win by six runs to lift their maiden Super Smash title.
11. Auckland – 2015-16
Auckland Aces became the first team to win the Super Smash title three times when captain Rob Nicol led them to win the tenth edition. They had a pretty good group performance and made it to second place on the table. They made it to the final after beating Canterbury in the preliminary final by 2 runs. Captain Nicol played a match-winning knock of 77 off 54 in the final to help his team win by 20 runs.
12. Wellington Firebirds – 2016-17
The second title for Wellington Firebirds came in the 12th season. It was a very tight season as three teams finished with 20 points, including Wellington. But because they had a better NRR than the other two, they made it to the preliminary final, where they beat Canterbury to advance to the final. They faced Central Districts in the final and went on to win by 14 runs. Hamish Marshall was the captain for the winning side.
13. Northern Knights – 2017-18
Dean Brownlie led Northern Knights to their second Super Smash title in the 13th edition. They were the best team in the group stage and, with 30 points, topped the table. In the final, they faced Central Districts at Seddon Park, Hamilton. The final saw one of the best all-round performances in the tournament’s history by Anton Devcich. He took 3/16 in four overs to help his team restrict Central Districts to 99/8. Then, Devcich scored an unbeaten 51 off 24 and helped Northern Knights win their second title.
14. Central Stags – 2018-19
After winning two titles in the first five seasons, Central Stags had to wait nine years to win their third title. Tom Bruce was the captain that led them to win the title. They were not the top team and finished third in the group. They moved to the final after beating Auckland in the preliminary final by 44 runs. Central Stags were pretty dominant in the final against then-defending champion Northern Districts and beat them by 67 runs. Adam Milen (3/12) and Ajaz Patel (3/24) were the key contributors for them.
15. Wellington Firebirds – 2019-20
Micheal Bracewell led the Wellington Firebirds to their third Super Smash T20 title in 2019-20. They were pretty good throughout the tournament and finished the group stage at the top to qualify for the final. In the final, they faced Auckland Aces at Basin Reserve, Wellington, and beat them by 22 runs. Hamish Bennett and Logan van Beek took three wickets each to help their team win the title.
16. Wellington Firebirds – 2020-21
Wellington Firebirds became only the second team in the Super Smash history to defend their title successfully. After winning the 15th edition, they went on to win the next season as well. Captain Micheal Bracewell helped them win the tournament. They faced Canterbury in the final at Seddon Park. In the final, they beat them by 5 wickets, with Devon Conway playing a match-winning knock of 93 off 63 balls. That helped Wellington to chase down 178/5 with two balls to spare.
17. Northern Brave – 2021-22
Northern Brave won their third Super Smash T20 title in 2021-22 when Jeet Raval led them to the glory. They were the best team of the tournament and entered the final with six consecutive wins. They faced Canterbury in the final at Seddon Park and rolled them over. Katene Clarke (71 off 34) and Mitchell Santner (92* off 40) helped their team to score the highest Super Smash T20 final score of 217/5. Canterbury scored 161 in the final, and Northern Brave won the final.
18. Northern Brave – 2022-23
The fourth title for Northern Brave came in 2022-23 under Jeet Raval once again. This time, they finished the group stage in third place and beat Otago in the preliminary final to qualify for the final. They faced Canterbury in the final, and it was a repeat of the last season. Santner once again proved to be a game-changer. He took 3/16 and scored an unbeaten 22 off 13 to help his team win the fourth title.
19. Auckland Aces – 2023-24
After winning two consecutive seasons, Northern Brave finished the 19th edition at the bottom, which gave the chance to another team to win the title. This was the record fifth title for Auckland Aces. Under the captaincy of Robert O’Donnell, Auckland finished the group at the top of the table. The final was scheduled between Auckland and Canterbury, but the rain played a spoilsport. The game was abandoned, and Auckland were rewarded the winner as they finished the group at the top.
20. Central Stags – 2024-25
