Auckland Aces vs Northern Knights, Super Smash 2019-20, Today Match Prediction 10 Jan 2020

auc vs nk Match Prediction & Analysis

Auckland will be looking to keep their playoff hopes alive when they take on Northern Knights in the 26th match of Super Smash competition at Eden Park Outer Oval in Auckland on Friday. Auckland has built nice momentum after winning two games on the bounce in the competition. Captain Craig Cachopa will be aware that Auckland certainly needs to win their remaining two matches in order to qualify for the playoff of the competition.

On the other hand, Northern Knights have struggled to produce positive results in this year’s competition. The side is currently lying at the bottom of the league table with 10 points to their name. Captain Dean Brownlie will be hoping that the side can deliver a decent show with bat and ball against Auckland.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Auckland Aces Preview

The side registered a four-wicket win over Central Districts at Eden Park, courtesy splendid performances from Ben Lister, Mark Chapman and Craig Cachopa. Against Central Districts, Captain Craig Cachopa won the toss and opted to bowl first. Excellent bowling performances from Ben Lister, Mitchell McClenaghan and Mark Chapman to restrict Central Districts to a modest score of 138 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Left-arm medium-pacer Ben Lister finished with excellent figures of 2 for 26 in his four overs, whereas left-arm orthodox spinner Mark Chapman claimed two wickets and conceded just 17 runs in his four overs.

Chasing 139 runs to win the game, Colin Munro perished for a single-digit score to see Auckland lose their first wicket with 23 runs on the board. Opener Martin Guptill failed to capitalize on his good start and smashed 22 runs off 18 balls with the help of two fours and one six. Martin Guptill has been a standout performer for the side in the batting department and currently franchise’s leading run-scorer with 248 runs at an average of 49.60. Mark Chapman had a good outing with bat and ball against Central Districts. With the ball, Chapman scored 20 runs off 18 balls with the help of three boundaries.

Captain Craig Cachopa was the standout performer for the side against Central Districts. With Auckland placed in a tricky situation at 57 for 3 after 9.2 overs. He led the way with the bat and put on a 55-run partnership with Corey Anderson.

Cachopa played well and finished the innings with the top-score of 36 runs off 32 balls with the help of one four and two sixes. He was well supported by all-rounder Corey Anderson, who chipped in with 29 runs off 26 balls with the help of two fours and one six. Wicket-keeper Ben Home and Ronnie Hara remained unbeaten till the end to see Auckland complete the chase in the final over of the innings. On the bowling front, the side will be relying on the likes of Ben Lister, Mitchell McClenaghan and Ronnie Hara to make crucial breakthroughs in this all-important clash.

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Ronnie Hira, Colin Munro, Ben Horne (wk), Robert O’Donnell, Corey Anderson, Mark Chapman, Craig Cachopa (captain), Ross ter Braak, Ben Lister

Auckland Aces Actual Playing XI:

Ben Horne, Benjamin Lister, Ronnie Hira, Colin Munro, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell McClenaghan, Martin Guptill, Corey Anderson, Craig Cachopa, Kyle Jamieson

Northern Knights Preview

With the side already out of the playoff race, Dean Brownlie-led unit will be looking to produce a positive result against Auckland. Northern Knights will rue the fact the bowling unit was big letdown after batsmen delivered an excellent performance and posted 219 for 7 in their 20 overs.

In the previous game, Northern Knights won the toss and decided to bat first. The decision was an accurate one as wicket-keeper Tim Siefert and Captain Dean Brownlie put on a 119-run partnership to put the side in a strong position to post a mammoth score on the board.

Wicket-keeper Tim Siefert has been a bankable performer for the side in this year’s competition and once again delivered the goods with the bat. He delivered scintillating performance and finished the innings with the top-score of 74 runs off 36 balls with the help of five fours and six sixes. He was well supported by Brownlie, who scored 55 runs off 29 balls with the help of eight fours and two sixes.

Knights will be banking on the likes of Tim Siefert and Dean Brownlie to do the bulk of the scoring in this contest. Crucial cameos from Daniel Flynn, Daryl Mitchell and Brett Hampton saw Knights posting a daunting score in their full quota of overs. Bowling certainly has been a cause of concern for Northern Knights so far in this year’s competition. Anton Devcich, Anurag Verma and Scott Kuggeleijn all conceded more than ten runs an over against Canterbury.

Northern Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Daniel Flynn, Dean Brownlie (c), Joe Carter, Ish Sodhi, Anton Devcich, Tim Seifert (wk), Scott Kuggeleijn, Brett Randell, Daryl Mitchell, Brett Hampton, Anurag Verma

Northern Knights Actual Playing XI:

Peter Bocock, Brett Randell, Ish Sodhi, Anurag Verma, Tim Seifert, Scott Kuggeleijn, Anton Devcich, Brett Hampton, Dean Brownlie, Daryl Mitchell, Daniel Flynn

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared for the game will be good for batting. The quick bowlers might get some lateral movement off the pitch with the new-ball. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Friday is going to be sunny intervals with a gentle breeze.

Venue Details

Eden Park Outer Oval in Auckland is going to host the game between Auckland and Northern Knights. Northern Knights will take heart from the fact that they have won five out of the last seven matches played against Auckland in the competition. Auckland will be confident of doing well as they have completed consecutive victories at this venue.

Toss: To Bowl

The side that wins the toss would be looking to bowl first and make use of early pitch conditions. The last two games played at this venue have been won by sides batting second.