Canterbury Kings vs Auckland Aces, SS T20 2022, Today Match Prediction 26 December 2022

ck vs auc Match Prediction & Analysis

The Canterbury Kings will play their first game at home as they take on the Auckland Aces in the 3rd game of the Super Smash 2022-23. The Kings have started the season on a positive note as they defeated the Northern Knights in the last game. It will be the first game of the season for the Aces. They will like to make a good start after struggling in the last two seasons.  

The Canterbury Kings have won the last four games between the two sides across two seasons. It will make them confident as they play at home, as most players know the conditions. The Aces have been poor starters, and they need to get over this poor record and come up with a good show in this game.  

TEAMS PREVIEW

Canterbury Kings Preview

Cole McConchie's side got off to an excellent start in the season. Their bowlers looked in good form in the game and the batsmen destroyed the Knights' bowling attack. It was a 9-wicket win for them against the Northern Knights in a rain-affected game. McConchie shall look to ride this momentum and win their second game to strengthen their position on the points table.  

Chad Bowes looked in good form, and he will like to start well in this game, opening the batting with Matthew Boyle. In the middle order, the side will like runs from the bats of Leo Carter, Cole McConchie, and Cam Fletcher in this game. Mitchell Hay, Henry Shipley, and Angus McKenzie will look to add quick runs down the order.  

The bowling attack had a great outing against the Northern Knights, and the side would like to see tight spells with the new ball from Ed Nuttall and Henry Shipley. Todd Astle and MckNezie looked good in the last game, and the side would like them to continue with the same form. Blake Coburn adds to the side's bowling strength, making it strong.  

Canterbury Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Cole McConchie (c), Chad Bowes, Matthew Boyle, Leo Carter, Cam Fletcher (wk), Mitchell Hay, Henry Shipley, Angus McKenzie, Ed Nuttall, Todd Astle, Blake Coburn

Canterbury Kings Actual Playing XI:

Leo Carter, Todd Astle, Angus McKenzie, Henry Shipley, Matthew Boyle, Chad Bowes, Cameron Fletcher, Cole McConchie, Ed Nuttall, Mitchell Hay, William O'Rourke

Auckland Aces Preview

Robert O'Donnell shall like to put the upsets of the last two seasons behind their backs. The players haven't met expectations in the last two seasons and must click together as a team. They take on a strong and confident side in this game. O'Donnell would like his players put up a spirited effort in this game.  

Martin Guptill must bring his experience to play and set up a big opening wicket stand with Sean Solia. They shall miss Glenn Phillips, and Cole Briggs has big shoes to fill in and score runs along with Mark Chapman, William Somerville, and Ben Horne. Ryan Harrison and Robert O'Donnell add to the team's batting strength down the order.  

Louis Delport and Ross ter Braak need to deliver early wickets as the Kings' batsmen would be confident after their big win in the last game. Ryan Harrison and Danru Ferns must keep the run rate under check in the middle overs. William Somerville and Robert O'Donnell must do well in the supporting act 

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

Robert O'Donnell (c), Sean Solia, Martin Guptill, Cole Briggs, Mark Chapman, Ben Horne (wk), Ryan Harrison, William Somerville, Danru Ferns, Louis Delport, Ross ter Braak

Auckland Aces Actual Playing XI:

Sean Solia, Cole Briggs, Louis Delport, Benjamin Lister, George Worker, Lockie Ferguson, Mark Chapman, Adithya Ashok, William O'Donnell, Max O Dowd, Ben Horne

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There would be clear skies over Christchurch on December 26. Fast bowlers are likely to enjoy these conditions. 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 with short square boundaries. It offers a 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

We had seen teams win four out of five games batting first in the last edition. The track is flat at good to bat on. Chasing big scores is challenging as it gets slower in the second innings. Hence, we believe the side winning the toss would opt to bat first.