Auckland Aces vs Wellington Firebirds, Super Smash 2019-20, Today Match Prediction 30 Dec 2019

auc vs wf Match Prediction & Analysis

Having scored their first win of the season, a high on confidence Auckland Aces would battle it out against an in-form Wellington Firebirds in what could be presumed as a high-octane contest for the fans to witness.

Wellington Firebirds, led by Michael Bracewell, are enjoying a terrific run so far this season. As of present, they are placed at the top of the points table with three wins and a loss in the four matches completed so far and would be backing themselves to script a comprehensive win at Auckland.

Meanwhile, hosts Auckland Aces would wish to forge ahead with the newfound momentum as they progress into the latter half of the tournament. Banking on the batting prowess of the quartet of Munro, Guptill, Phillips, and Chapman, the Aces will either aim to put a ton of runs on board in the 1st innings or chase the total with a few overs to spare in the 2nd innings.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Auckland Aces Preview

Auckland Aces have a concrete batting lineup from top to middle-order potent in putting big runs on board. Openers Martin Guptill (43) and Colin Munro (31) were in a good nick in the previous outing and with wicket-keeper, Glenn Phillips would look to bash every bad delivery out the park at Eden Park Oval.

Mark Chapman (29-ball 63*) was by far, one of the key players behind Aces’ long-awaited win in the tournament as it was his innings which ensured the Craig Cachopa-led side in posting a total of over 200 versus Central Stags. With Chapman and skipper Cachopa handling the middle-order, one could ensure the scoreboard ticking with mini bursts of sixes and fours at the situation’s behest.

Bowling wise, Mitchell McClenaghan (4 wickets in 5 innings) has been the highest wicket-taker this season. Left-arm Sean Solia (2/30) and spinner Ronnie Hira (2/40) managed to grab dismissals in the previous match and would look to deliver better results in the coming duel.

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

Craig Cachopa (c), Mitchell McClenaghan, Ross Braak, Ronnie Hira, Ben Lister, Corey Anderson, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips (wk), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro

Auckland Aces Actual Playing XI:

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

Wellington Firebirds Preview

Devon Conway (154 runs in 4 innings) and James Neesham (128 runs in 4 innings) have been in hot-form in the ongoing T20s and would be expected to come up with match-winning exhibitions at Auckland. Not to forget, both Conway (50-ball 89) and Neesham (25-ball 38) were among the top-performers for Wellington in the recent outing against Central Stags, making the duo as one of the vital cogs for the Firebirds.

Michael Pollard (143 runs in 4 innings) is someone who shouldn’t be forgotten, as it is his opening bursts which have given the Firebirds an upper hand on numerous occasions in the concurrent T20 edition.

Among the bowlers, all eyes would be on pacer Ollie Newton as he grabbed 5/45 in the lately finished game against the Stags. Newton (8 wickets in 4 innings) is now the leading wicket-taker for the Firebirds in the ongoing season and along with Logan Beek (4 wickets in 4 innings) and Hamish Bennett (4 wickets in 4 innings) would be entrusted the task of restricting the opposition to a paltry total.

Wellington Firebirds Predicted Playing XI:

Michael Bracewell (c), Fraser Colson, Rachin Ravindra, Ollie Newton, Jamie Gibson, Michael Pollard, Logan Beek, Devon Conway (wk), Malcolm Nofal, James Neesham, Hamish Bennett

Wellington Firebirds Actual Playing XI:

Rachin Ravindra, Malcolm Nofal, Devon Conway, Logan van Beek, Ollie Newton, Hamish Bennett, Fraser Colson, Michael Bracewell, Michael Pollard, James Neesham, Jamie Gibson

Weather Conditions

Clouds are going to circle around the stadium in the first half however, there would be intermittent cloud cover as the game progresses. Pacers, in particular, are in for entertainment as they would aim to make the most of the overcast conditions. Batting might be friendlier in the second half with the dew factor coming into play.

Venue Details

The wicket at Eden Park Outer Oval has usually been a batters paradise with 210 as the first innings total when Auckland Aces last played at this venue in Super Smash 2019-20. However, the overcast conditions might affect the run-scoring ability in the 1st innings so a scoreline between 160-170 could be expected in the first innings.

Toss: To Bowl

The toss-winning captain would be looking to bowl first in the upcoming T20. The majority of the matches played at this venue have been won by the team batting second and thus, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if the team facing the ball in the 2nd innings manages to emerge meritorious in the end. Not to forget, both the teams have strong batting departments, making the chase easier.