Canterbury Kings vs Wellington Firebirds, Super Smash 2020-21, Today Match Prediction 16 Jan 2021

ck vs wf Match Prediction & Analysis

It will be a contest to watch out for in Super Smash 2020-21 as the Canterbury Kings play the Wellington Firebirds at their home ground Hagley Oval, Christchurch. The Kings are coming into this game after a convincing win against the Northern Knights and on the other hand the Firebirds demolished the Otago Volts in their last game and have almost sealed a spot for themselves in the elimination round. 

The Firebirds have shown good form so far and won all the five games they have played. Their scale of victories has been huge as they have demolished one opponent after another. The Kings too have done well and in the past have won five out of seven games they have played at this venue against the Firebirds. All these would make it a contest to watch out.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Canterbury Kings Preview

Cole McConchie’s side is swimming with the tide and they have won three out of their four games so far. It was a convincing win for them against the Northern Knights where they crossed the finishing line with 6 wickets in hand. McConchie would be aware of the challenge here as the Firebirds haven’t lost a game so far. He would want his side to put their best foot forward in this game. 

The problem for the side is the form of its openers Chad Bowes and Ken McClure who haven’t provided convincing starts in most of the games. They have to do well against a strong opponent. McConchie and Darryl Mitchell are in great form and strengthen the middle order with Jack Boyle in the side. They would need good contributions from Leo Carter and Cam Fletcher towards the end of the innings in this game. 

Ed Nutall and Matt Henry did well with the new ball and they would have big responsibility on their shoulder in this game. Mitchell and McConchie were spot on with their line and length in the last game. With Todd Astle coming into this game after a match winning spell against the Knights the bowling attack looks in good shape here. 

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, Matt Henry, Ken McClure, Cameron Fletcher, Chad Bowes, Leo Carter, Jack Boyle, Blake Coburn

Wellington Firebirds Preview

There is no stopping for Michael Bracewell’s side this season. They have won all their five games so far. It was a one sided victory for the side against the Otago Volts in the last game where they won convincingly by 5 wickets with nearly four overs to spare. But Bracewell would be aware of the scale of the challenge in this game and expect his side to carry on the same momentum. 

Devon Conway and Finn Allen have both scored runs at the top and the same would be expected of them in this game. The middle order is highly experienced with the likes of Rachin Ravindra, Tom Bundell and James Neesham in the side. With Bracewell and Jamie Gibson having good power hitting skills the side has a formidable batting line-up going into this contest.  

Hamish Bennett and Neesham and van Beek are in tremendous form with the ball and they would look to get early breakthroughs in this game. Neesham, Ravindra and Peter Younghusband have been expensive and they would have to bowl tighter lines in this game. With Ben Sears in the side the bowling attack has the depth to challenge the Kings.

Wellington Firebirds Predicted Playing XI:

Michael Bracewell (c), Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell (wk), James Neesham, Jamie Gibson, Logan van Beek, Peter Younghusband, Ben Sears, Hamish Bennett

Wellington Firebirds Actual Playing XI:

Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Logan van Beek, Jamie Gibson, Hamish Bennett, PY Husband, Michael Bracewell, Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Troy Johnson, James Neesham

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There would be odd clouds in the sky over Christchurch on January 16 and we expect the batsmen to have it easy on this track. The ball would come on to the bat nicely allowing them to play their strokes and bowlers would need to mix their pace and length to do well. The side batting first here would need a score of 180 runs to defend it.

Venue Details

Hagley Oval, Christchurch is a batting friendly wicket where the shorter boundaries aid the batsmen. Run scoring is relatively easy here though the fast bowlers do get their rewards from the pitch with the new ball. Spinners have always found it difficult to bowl on this surface as there is hardly any assistance for them.

Toss: To Bat

Christchurch is one of the best pitches to bat on in New Zealand and we have seen most sides putting up big scores on the board. The pitch doesn’t change much in character in the second innings. The side winning the toss would like to seek early advantage in this game by opting to bat first.