Auckland Aces vs Otago Volts, Super Smash 2018/19, Today Match Prediction 13 Jan 2019

auc vs ov Match Prediction & Analysis

Super smash league takes the center stage among the New Zealand fans as the Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand is over.  Auckland Aces are struggling to find their feet after their solo win against Central Districts. They are handicapped by the absence of Martin Guptill, Colin Munro and Lockie Ferguson, who are in the national duty against Sri Lanka. Their top order batsmen James Vince, Mark Chapman and Sean Solia are struggling to make runs and has been a big worry to the team`s batting. Skipper Craig Cachopa and Glenn Philips have provided some solidity in the middle but are short of big scores. Off spin Allrounder Somerwille has played crucial knocks towards the end of the innings last match. Mitchell McCleanagan, Mathew Quinn and Donovan Grobbelaar form the pace bowling attack of the team. Ronnie Hira and William Somerwille share the spin bowling duties. 

Otago Volts started their tournament with two back and back wins, but they have lost their momentum recently. They have lost two matches in last three matches with the other match being abandoned. Jacob Duffy has taken up the Captaincy responsibilities of the team. Their top order Neil Broom, Anaru Kitchen and Hamish Rutherford have been scoring runs consistently. But they need to up the ante in the powerplay overs. Ben Cox, Mathew Rippon and Shawn Hicks has played some useful knocks down the order. Jack Hunter, Christi Viljoen, Jacob Duffy and Nathan Smith form the pace battery and are amongst the wickets column. Michael Rippon and Anaru Kitchen form the spin duo for the Otago Volts. James Neesham will miss the league with the injury and has been a big loss for the team's balance.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Auckland Aces Preview

Key Players:

Glenn Philips – The wicketkeeper batsmen have been the national squad and finds it tough to break into the playing XI. Impressive performance with the bat here will help him to gain a place in the national team. 

William Somerwille – Somerwille has played some good knocks at the end, but is not among the wickets in bowling department. He will look to get some wickets to help for the team`s cause

Missing players: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Lockie Ferguson  

 Stats from the tournament

Craig Cachopa – 69 runs at strike rate 138 (HS – 39) 

Mitchell McCleanagan – 6 wickets at an economy of 7 RPO (BB – 3/23) 

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

Craig Cachopa(c), James Vince, , Sean Solia, Mark Chapman, Glenn Philips (Wk), Robert O Donnell, William Somerwille, Ronnie Hira, Mitchell McCleanagan, Mathew Quinn, Donovan Grobbelaar/ Benjamin Lister.

Grobbelaar may make way for returning Lister but his good showing with the ball last match may tilt in his favor in the playing XI. 

Otago Volts Preview

Key Players:

Hamish Rutherford – The opener has been getting the starts and would love to convert it to big score to help the team to post a huge total and win.  

Jacob Daffy – Their Skipper has been the best bowler in the team with two 3-wickets hauls despite the team`s loss in both the matches. 

Missing player: James Neesham

Stats from the tournament

Anaru Kitchen – 127 runs at strike rate 115 (HS – 52, 50s-1) 

Jacob Daffy – 7 wickets at an economy of 7.4 RPO (BB – 3/18)

Otago Volts Predicted Playing XI:

Jacob Daffy (c), Matthew Bacon, Michael Rippon, Jack Hunter, Brad Wilson, Ben Cox (Wk), Shawn Hicks, Anaru Kitchen, Hamish Rutherford, Nathan Smith, Josh Finnie, Christi Viljoin.

Viljoin will replace Ben Raine in the playing XI and is expected to strengthen the bowling attack.

Weather Conditions

Dunedin pitch has been known to help the batsmen and is a high scoring ground. Scores in the range of 180-200 runs. There is a rain threat looming around the ground threatening the match. The last match held here was abandoned due to the bad weather. 

Otago Volts are familiar with the conditions and they are expected to win the match. Auckland Aces has been struggling to find the team combination so far. Otago Volts look superior team on paper and we hope them to end victories. 

Toss: WIN the toss, BOWL First

Dunedin is a batting pitch and it will remain same throughout the entire duration of the match. Batting second is a wise option with the rain interruptions expected. Both the captains will look to chase the runs scored by opponent.