Auckland vs Wellington Firebirds, Plunket Shield 2022-23, Today Match Prediction 05 March 2023

auc vs wf Match Prediction & Analysis

Host Auckland will be keen to put on a decent show when they take on Wellington in the 16th match of the 2022-23 Plunkett Shield competition played at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland.

With one win and two losses, Auckland are lying in the bottom half of the league table. Captain Robert O’Donnell will be hoping that the side can produce their best cricket in this home fixture.

On the other hand, Wellington are currently placed at third position in the league table with 27 points to their name. Wellington’s previous match against Otago ended in a tame draw.

Earlier this season, Auckland registered a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Wellington in a game played at Basin Reserve.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Auckland Preview

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Robert O’Donnell, George Worker, Simon Keene, Sean Solia, Cole Briggs and William O’Donnell to do the bulk of the scoring.

With 246 runs in seven innings, George Worker is leading the batting charts for Auckland in this year’s competition. Besides Worker, Robert O’Donnell accumulated 230 runs at an average of 32.85 with one century to his name.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of William Sommerville, Danru Ferns, Ben Lister and Ross ter Braak to deliver crucial breakthroughs.

With 14 wickets to his name, Leg-spinner William Somerville has topped the bowling charts for Auckland so far this season.

Auckland Predicted Playing XI:

Robert O’Donnell (c), George Worker, William O’ Donnell, Sean Solia, Cole Briggs, Ben Horne (wk), Simon Keene, William Somerville, Ross ter Braak, Danru Ferns, Ben Lister

Wellington Firebirds Preview

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the in-form duo of Nick Kelly and Rachin Ravindra to deliver the bulk of the runs.

In the previous match, Rachin Ravindra was the star performer with the bat for Wellington. In the first innings, Ravindra scored a half-century for the side. In their second innings, Rachin Ravindra smashed a splendid hundred off 204 balls with the help of fourteen fours and one six.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Michael Snedden, Logan van Beek, Rachin Ravindra and Ian McPeake to deliver crucial breakthroughs.

With 17 scalps at an average of 17.41, Michael Snedden has topped the bowling charts for Wellington.

Wellington Firebirds Predicted Playing XI:

Nick Kelly (c), Finn Allen, Muhammad Abbas, Luke Georgeson, Rachin Ravindra, Troy Johnson, Nathan Smith, Logan van Beek, Callum McLachlan (wk), Ian McPeake, Kieran McComb

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather forecast for the game is far from ideal as the rains are expected on the second and third day of the match. The wicket will definitely offer help to the quick bowlers.

Venue Details

Colin Maiden Park in Auckland is going to host the 16th match of the 2022-23 Plunkett Shield between Auckland and Wellington.

Toss: To Bat

Both the sides will be looking to win the toss, bat first and post a decent score in their first innings.