Auckland Aces vs Northern Knights, Super Smash 2018/19, Today Match Prediction 02 Feb 2019

auc vs nk Match Prediction & Analysis

Auckland Aces require a win in one of their remaining two matches to seal their place in playoffs. They face against top two teams of the league in the remaining two matches. They beat Canterbury comprehensively last match by 9 wickets.

The bowlers led the charge to restrict the opposition to a paltry score of 122 runs. Mathew Quinn was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 wickets. Then Glenn Philips and Daniel Bell-Drummond scored fifties to seal the match. Colin Munro will return to the squad following his axing from the national squad. Mathew McCleanagan and Ronnie Hira have performed well with the ball in the tournament.

Northern Knights has been the best team of the tournament so far. The rich squad strength came to the fore despite many players leaving the team. They have lost just one match out of the 8 matches played so far. They beat Central Districts by a massive margin of 131 runs last match. Brett Hampton and Daryl Mitchell scored fifties and are well supported by skipper Dean Brownlie and Tim Seifert. 

Leg Spinner Tarun Nethula bamboozled the batsmen with his leg spinners. Scott Kugglegin and Neil Wagner took wickets at the top to disrupt the opposition`s chase. Northern Knights have squad strength in such a way every member performs well when presented the opportunity.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Auckland Aces Preview

Key Players:

Craig Cachopa – Skipper Cachopa id under pressure to perform with the bat and he has no big contribution except a score of 73 against Otago Volts. He will look to perform with the bat and boost the team morale. 

Mathew Quinn – Quinn is turning out to be exceptional bowler for them by capturing 9 wickets so far giving away runs at an economy rate of 6.1 RPO. 

Stats from the tournament:

Glenn Philips – 150 runs at strike rate 133 (HS –59, 50s-1)

Mitchell McCleanaghan – 12 wickets at an economy of 7.7 RPO (BB – 3/23)

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

Daniel Bell-Drummond, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips(w), Craig Cachopa(c), Robert ODonnell, Greame Beghin, Donovan Grobbelaar, Ronnie Hira, William Somerville, Mitchell McClenaghan, Matthew Quinn. Colin Munro will return to the playing XI and Mark Chapman may get the axe due to string of low scores.

Auckland Aces Actual Playing XI:

Mitchell McClenaghan, Mark Chapman, Colin Munro, Ronnie Hira, Matthew Quinn, Glenn Phillips, Robert O'Donnell, William Somerville, Donovan Grobbelaar, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Craig Cachopa

Northern Knights Preview

Key Players:

Daryl Mitchell – Daryl Mitchell has been in an excellent form with the bat and ball and his performances yielded a national call up in the India T20Is. He would like to maintain his form before playing for New Zealand. 

Tarun Nethula – Tarun bowled a exceptional spell bowling of spin bowling to capture six wickets in just 3 over’s last match. He will look to wield his magic this match too.  

Stats from the tournament:

Daryl Mitchell – 281 runs at strike rate 141 (HS – 78, 50s-2) 

Scott Kuggleijn – 12 wickets at an economy of 8.2 RPO (BB –4/18) 

Northern Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Tim Seifert(w), Nicholas Frederick Kelly, Dean Brownlie(c), Brett Hampton, Daryl Mitchell, Corey Anderson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daniel Flynn, Kyle Abbott, Neil Wagner, Tarun Nethula They are expected to go in the unchanged playing XI unless there is a injury concern in the last minute.

Northern Knights Actual Playing XI:

Peter Bocock, Ish Sodhi, KY Abbott, Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert, Scott Kuggeleijn, Brett Hampton, N Wagner, Dean Brownlie, Daryl Mitchell, Corey Anderson

Weather Conditions

Auckland has been a batting pitch and there might be some swing for pacers early in the match. The shorter boundaries and quick outfield will result in a high scoring match. Scores in the range of 180-200 runs will be scored easily. No target seems safe in this match as pitch remains good for batting in both the innings.

Toss: WIN the toss, BOWL First

The ball will swing early in the day and both teams will look to utilize it. Canterbury`s Jamieson used it to record figures of 6/7 with the ball. Chasing seems easier and safer option in the high scoring contests.