Central Stags vs Otago Volts, SST20, Today Match Prediction

CD vs OV Match Prediction & Analysis

Central Stags will take on Otago Volts in the 12th match of Super Smash 2024-25 at Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North, on January 12, 2025, at 8:55 a.m. IST. This is a top-of-the-table clash between two informed teams, Central Stags and Otago Volts who are currently in the 1st and 2nd place in the points table respectively.

Super Smash is a six-team tournament, where the league happens in a double round-robin fashion followed by playoffs and a final. The top 4 teams go into the playoffs and given the current standing both Central Stags and Otago Volts seem to be heading that way.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Central Stags Preview

Central Stags are currently at the top of the table with 3 wins in the first 4 games. The only game they lost was their first game against Wellington. They avenged that in the second encounter against Wellington. Central Stags have so far registered 3 wins sor far against Otago Volts, Northern Brave, and Wellington Firebirds.

In the opening encounter, they defeated the current opponents Otago Volts by 7 wickets. Batting first, Central Stags conceded 154 for 8 in 20 overs. At one point, they had restricted Otago Volts to 86 for 6 wickets in the 15th over. The chase proved simple as Will Young, Curtis Heaphy, and Tom Bruce guided the chase with valuable knocks, getting Central Stags over the line with 7 wickets to spare. Earlier, Blair Tickner took 3 wickets to restrict Otago Volts.

Central Stags lost the second game against Wellington Firebirds by 11 runs chasing 190. Agnes Schaw took 3 wickets in that game and opener Jack Boyle scored a valuable 60 that went in vain. In the third game, Central Stags came back strongly against Northern Brave to register a 64-run victory. After posting 195 on the board batting first, they bundled out Northern Brave for just 131 runs. Jayden Lennox took 3 wickets and was well supported by Brett Randall who took 2 for 19.

In the previous game, they took the revenge against Wellington for the earlier defeat this season. Batting first, Wellington Firebirds scored 192 for 4. In response, Central Stags, got over the line with 6 wickets to spare. Jack Boyle yet again top scored with an innings of 77 of just 43 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes. Brett Randell and Jayden Lennox were the peak of the bowlers. With batting and bowling units firing simultaneously, Central Stags have a good chance of defeating Otago Volts for the second time this season.

Key players: Curtis Heaphy, Jack Boyle, Brett Randell, Jayden Lennox

Central Stags Predicted Playing XI:

Curtis Heaphy, Jack Boyle, Dane Cleaver (wk), Tom Bruce (c), William Clark, Sam Cassidy, Angus Schaw, Brett Randell, Blair Tickner, Jayden Lennox, Toby Findlay

Central Stags Actual Playing XI:

William Clark, Jack Boyle, Toby Findlay, Tom Bruce, Curtis Heaphy, Dane Cleaver, Angus Schaw, Blair Tickner, Brett Randell, Jayden Lennox, Josh Clarkson

Otago Volts Preview

If not for the rain in the match against Auckland Aces, Otago would have had 3 wins in 4 games under their belt, just like the Stags. Nonetheless, with 2 wins in 4 games and 1 no result, Otago Volts are placed second in the points table. They have lost their previous encounter against Central Stags and would be hoping for a better return this time.

After losing the opening game against Canterbury Kings by 10 runs, failing to chase the target of 166, the Wolves were looking at their first victory against Auckland Aces. But the rain had a final say in that game. Before it started raining, Otago Volts had bundled out Auckland Aces for just 106 runs and were 26 for none in the second over. They were denied a sure victory.

In the third game, Otago Volts lost to the tabletopper's Central Stags by 7 wickets with 7 balls remaining. In the second game, Otago Volts did well to score 154 batting first in that game after a disastrous start where they were reduced to 68 for 5 in the 13th over. Llew Johnson top scored with 53 runs batting lower down the order. However, the bowling didn't find such a small target as Central's tags registered an easy win.

In their previous game against Canterbury Kings, Otago Volts came back strongly to defeat the opponents by 5 wickets with 8 balls remaining. Bowling first, Otago Volts conceded 169 runs in 20 overs. Andrew Hazeldine and Matthew Bacon shared 5 wickets among them, but they were a little costly. However, top batting performances from Dale Phillips and unbeaten 60 by Dean Foxcroft helped Otago Volts get over the line comfortably and gain the second spot in the points table.

Key players: Dale Phillips, Dean Foxcroft, Andrew Hazeldine, Matthew Bacon

Otago Volts Predicted Playing XI:

Dale Phillips, Jamal Todd, Max Chu (wk), Leo Carter, Dean Foxcroft, Llew Johnson, Luke Georgeson (c), Ben Lockrose, Andrew Hazeldine, Matthew Bacon, Mason Clarke

Otago Volts Actual Playing XI:

Dale Phillips, Luke Georgeson, Llew Johnson, Jamal Todd, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lockrose, Matthew Bacon, Andrew Hazeldine, Leo Carter, Mason Clarke, Ruben Clinton

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather on the match day at Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North is expected to be mostly cloudy with a minimal chance of rain. The temperature would range between 19°C and 6°C. This is expected to be mostly cloudy with a minimal chance of rain.

CD vs OV Pitch Report

The venue of the match is Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North. Although established in 1980, the venue has gained importance in the recent past, notably during 2021-22 season. This venue has hosted Plunket Shield, T20 and One Day Games along with Super Smash. It has hosted Women's One Day Internationals as well. The venue has a very small seating capacity.

Toss: To Bowl

The conditions at Fitzherbert Park in New Zealand are known to offer balanced conditions for batters and bowlers. There is no undue advantage to the teams winning the toss, however, in the shortest format of the game, it is better to know the target and go after it while chasing, especially in balanced conditions. A team winning the toss should bowl first here.