Auckland Aces vs Northern Knights, Super Smash 2019-20, Today Match Prediction 22 Dec 2019

auc vs nk Match Prediction & Analysis

The 8th match of Super Smash 2019-20 pits Auckland Aces against Northern Knights in what could be presumed as a neck and neck battle with both the competing teams eager to draw the first blood of the season.

Auckland Aces, led by Craig Cachopa, suffered a defeat in their first match of the season which was followed by two no results, with the games being affected due to rains. With players like Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Corey Anderson and Mitchell McClenaghan in the armory, the tourists are clearly the stronger side in contention at Hamilton.

On the other hand, defending champions Northern Knights lost the initial two games and recently encountered a no-result against the Central Stags. With the upcoming game being played at the home conditions of Seddon Park, the Knights would be backing themselves to come up with a stellar knock in the coming T20 encounter.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Auckland Aces Preview

Batting wise, the Aces look on the spot with Martin Guptill and Colin Munro opening the innings. Guptill  (6,851 runs in 239 Innings) and Munro (1,641 in 65 Innings) are among the finest T20 contenders in the World at the moment and would carry the onus of scoring the bulk of runs in the coming contest.

Glenn Phillips had scored an unbeaten 106 off 61 deliveries in the 1st match against Otago Volts and would look to don a similar role versus Dean Brownlie-led Knights. Among the bowlers, Mitchell McClenaghan and William Somerville would be looking to affect the early dismissals with spinner Ronnie Hira grabbing a wicket or two in the middle overs.

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

Craig Cachopa (c), Ben Lister, Sean Solia, Glenn Phillips (wk), William Somerville, Mark Chapman, Corey Anderson, Colin Munro, Ronnie Hira, Mitchell McClenaghan, Martin Guptill

Auckland Aces Actual Playing XI:

Sean Solia, Ronnie Hira, Colin Munro, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell McClenaghan, Martin Guptill, Corey Anderson, Craig Cachopa, William Somerville, Ross Ter Braak

Northern Knights Preview

The Knights haven't performed to the expectations and it is about time they establish a foothold in the concurrent T20 duels. Daryl Mitchell (323 runs in 10 innings) and Dean Brownlie  (264 runs in 9 innings) were among the leading run-getters for the Knights in the previous edition and will look to pile a mountain of runs in the game at Hamilton. Anton Devich's all-round abilities could be a major plus point for the Knights in the much-anticipated encounter.

Bowling wise, medium pacers Anurag Verma (2/28) and Brett Randell (3/29) grabbed economical figures in the rain-affected match against Central Stags and along with spinner Ish Sodhi (9 wickets in 6 innings) who had a decent run last time around, one could anticipate the Knights to put up a terrific show at Seddon Park.

Northern Knights Predicted Playing XI:

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

Northern Knights Actual Playing XI:

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

Weather Conditions

Clouds are going to hover around the stadium with the temperature hovering between 18-22 degrees Celsius. However, no chances of rain are being foretold as of present ensuring a complete 40-overs of the uninterrupted contest. 

Venue Details

The overcast conditions could be of assistance to the bowlers, especially pacers, who could get some movement off the wicket. Batsmen have always enjoyed playing at Seddon Park with 160 being the average 1st innings score and thus a high scoring venue could be put to witness.

Toss: To Bowl

Toss winning captain should consider to bowl first on these conditions. Any score around 170 would be a par total at this venue with the team batting second likely to win the upcoming feud.