Canterbury Kings vs Auckland Aces, Super Smash 2020-21, Today Match Prediction 11 Jan 2021

ck vs auc Match Prediction & Analysis

Canterbury Kings would be looking to strengthen their position on the points table as they play the Auckland Aces in the 14th game of the Super Smash 2020-21. The Kings lost their last game against the Central Stags and they would look to bounce back in this game. As for the Aces they suffered a big loss at the hands of the Kings and would need to play good cricket to meet the challenges. 

The Auckland Aces would be under great pressure having lost all the four games they have played so far. Apart from few individual performances there hasn’t been much to cheer for the side so far. Kings on the other hand have looked a much better side so far. It will be interesting to see if the Auckland Aces have a surprise up their sleeves in this game.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Canterbury Kings Preview

Cole McConchie’s side suffered their first loss of the season where they went down against the Central Stags by 18 runs. It was poor efforts with the ball and poor start with the bat that let them down. McConchie would want his players to take inspiration from their previous win against the Aces and strengthen their position on the points table with a win here. 

Chad Bowes and Ken McClure would look to provide a good start after their failure in the last game. They have done well in previous games and shall look to do well here. In the middle order Daryl Mitchell, Jack Boyle and McConchie did well in the last game. With Leo Carter and Cam Fletcher bringing in good hitting abilities, the side has all its bases covered in the batting department. 

Their bowlers had a bad day in the last game and they would look to improve here. Ed Nutall and Matt Henry need to grab early wickets after having failed in the last game. McConchie bowled well in the last game and this is a big positive for the side. Will William, Mitchell and Todd Astle would need to tighten their lines in this game after a poor show in the previous one. 

Canterbury Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Cole McConchie (c), Chad Bowes, Ken McClure, Jack Boyle, Daryl Mitchell, Leo Carter, Cam Fletcher (wk), Matt Henry, Todd Astle, Will Williams, Ed Nuttall

Canterbury Kings Actual Playing XI:

Will Williams, Cole McConchie, TD Astle, Daryl Mitchell, Ed Nuttall, Matt Henry, Ken McClure, Chad Bowes, Leo Carter, Jack Boyle, Cameron Fletcher

Auckland Aces Preview

Robert O’Donnell’s side needs to pull up its socks as it goes into its fifth game. The side has lost all the four games it has played so far and needs to win this one to keep its hopes alive for a place in the elimination round. It lost by 10 wickets in the last game against the Canterbury Kings. As the side plays the same opponent they would need to come up with a better show here to earn their first points of the season. 

The problem for the side has been at the top as Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman haven’t provided good starts. They need to set up a good start at the top for the side to win here. In the middle order Robert O’Donnell, Sean Solia and Ben Horne too have to score runs as they haven’t been consistent. The side would expect a good show from Ross ter Braak and William O’Donnell in this must-win game. 

The side would expect early wickets from Ben Lister and William Somerville in this game as they have been the only bowlers who have challenged the opponents so far in the season. Danru Fern, Louis Delport and Ross ter Braak would have a big challenge on their shoulders as they would need to keep the scoring rate under control in the middle overs. 

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

Robert O’Donnell (c), Sean Solia, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, William O’Donnell, Ben Horne (wk), Ross ter Braak, Danru Ferns, William Somerville, Louis Delport, Ben Lister

Auckland Aces Actual Playing XI:

Sean Solia, Ben Horne, Benjamin Lister, Robert O'Donnell, Glenn Phillips, Danru Ferns, William O'Donnell, William Somerville, Martin Guptill, Ross Ter Braak, Louis Delport

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There would be thick cloud cover at Christchurch on January 11 and fast bowlers are likely to enjoy these conditions. However, the wicket is a good one to bat on where the ball comes nicely onto the bat. The side that bats first would need to put 180 runs on the board to feel safe on this track.

Venue Details

Hagley Oval, Christchurch is a small ground and the shorter square boundaries and this offers great advantage to the batsmen who can play their strokes. There is some assistance for the fast bowlers early on in the innings. But it is a very challenging venue for the spinners as the wicket doesn’t offer much spin and bounce.

Toss: To Bat

The track looked a good one to bat on in the last game where a big score was put up and nearly chased. There wasn’t much in there for the bowlers. This is likely to play in the minds of both the captains as they go for toss in the next game and hence we believe the side winning the toss would opt to bat first.