Auckland Aces vs Canterbury Kings, Super Smash 2020-21, Today Match Prediction 03 Jan 2021

aa vs ck Match Prediction & Analysis

Auckland Aces have a big challenge on their hands as they meet the Canterbury Kings in the 9th game of the Super Smash 2020-21. The Aces come into this game having suffered a massive loss against the Central Stags while the Canterbury Kings registered a convincing win against the Otago Volts in their first game of the season. 

For the Auckland Aces the problems have been compounded by the fact that they have lost all their three games so far and the side would now have to win this one to keep their hopes alive for a place in the elimination round. The Canterbury Kings haven’t had the best of records against the Aces in the past and they would look to improve that in this game considering the poor form their opponents are in at the moment.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Auckland Aces Preview

Robert O’Donnell finds his side in deep trouble and already staring at not making it to the next round. They have lost all their three games so far and suffered yet another big loss against the Central Stags where they went down by 70 runs after conceding 226 bowling first. They have a good record against the Kings and O’Donnell would like his team to use this for an inspiration and earn their first points of the season. 

Openers Graeme Beghin and Sean Solia need to fire as their absence from form is hurting the side at the moment. In the middle order William O’Donnell, Glenn Phillips and Robert O’Donnell scored runs in the last game and the side would like them to see continue with their momentum. Ben Horne and Bradley Rodden will need to come up with contributions down the order for the side to win this game. 

Ben Lister and William Somerville bowled well in the last game and they would be expected to do maximum damage considering the form or other bowlers. Olly Pringle, Danru Fern, Phillips and Solia had a horrid day with the ball in the last game and they have looked out for rhythm so far in the season. The side would need them to check the flow of runs in this game. 

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

Robert O’Donnell (c), Graeme Beghin, Sean Solia, William O’Donnell, Glenn Phillips, Ben Horne (wk), Bradley Rodden, William Somerville, Olly Pringle, Danru Ferns, Ben Lister

Auckland Aces Actual Playing XI:

Sean Solia, Louis Delport, Benjamin Lister, Mark Chapman, Robert O'Donnell, Glenn Phillips, William O'Donnell, Ross Ter Braak, William Somerville, Danru Ferns, Ben Horne

Canterbury Kings Preview

Cole McConchie’s side has started the tournament on the perfect note. It was a good effort with the bat and the ball in the last game against the Otago Volts that saw them to a 61 run win in the game. McConchie would be aware of poor form the Aces are in at the moment and shall look to exploit that in this game. 

Openers Chad Bowes and Ken McClure are looking in good form at the moment and they would look to lay a strong platform in this game. Jack Boyle and McConchie missed out in the last game and they shall look to strike form. With Leo Carter, Cam Fletcher and Matthew Hay having good hitting abilities the side would look to put up a good score on the board. 

Their bowlers are looking in good form especially Matt Henry and Ed Nuttall who picked up three wickets each in the previous game. McConchie would look to tighten his line as he had gone for runs in the previous game. With Todd Astle and Will Williams also looking in good form the side would count on its chances in this game. 
 

Canterbury Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Cole McConchie (c), Chad Bowes, Ken McClure, Jack Boyle, Leo Carter, Cam Fletcher (wk), Matthew Hay, Matt Henry, Todd Astle, Will Williams, Ed Nuttall

Canterbury Kings Actual Playing XI:

Will Williams, Cole McConchie, Ed Nuttall, Ken McClure, Sean Davey, Leo Carter, Matthew Hay, Chad Bowes, TD Astle, Cameron Fletcher, Fraser Sheat

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There are chances of rain at Auckland on January 03 and this might offer some assistance to the bowlers in what is otherwise a great batting surface. Batsmen will be able to play on the up after seeing off the first few overs. The side that bats first in this game shall be targeting a score in excess of 170 runs.

Venue Details

Eden Park Outer Oval offers assistance to the bowlers at the start of the game. But ball comes on to the bat nicely and this allows the batsmen to play their strokes. The shorter boundaries are a big bonus for the batsmen and but the dimensions make it a challenging surface for the spinners.

Toss: To Bowl

This will be the first game on this ground in a long time and there would be some juice on the surface for the bowlers early on in the game. This is something that both the captains are likely to consider at the toss and the side winning it would look to bowl first and dismiss the opposition for a small total.