Central Districts Stags vs Northern Knights, Super Smash 2018/19, Today Match Prediction 17 Feb 2019

cd vs nk Match Prediction & Analysis

Central Districts have won their pre-finals against Auckland by 44 runs to set up the final with Northern Knights. Central Districts set a huge target of 220 runs for the Auckland Aces last match. Will young and Dane Cleaver were exceptional last mach scoring runs at a rapid pace. Skipper Tom Bruce too had a good outing with a quick fire 35 runs.

Adam Milne and Seth Rance were excellent with the ball and had a good economy rate in a high scoring match. Spinner Ajaz Patel picked up two wickets but looked out of sorts. In fact he was taken out of bowling after two waist high full tosses. Ben Wheeler`s poor form with the ball continues. Blair Tickner and Josh Clarkson miss out due to injuries and will be missed in the finals.

Northern Knights had a rare blip in form and have lost their last two matches leading to the finals. Skipper Tim Seifert is expected to be back in the squad and is in superb form smashing bowlers at all levels. Daryl Mitchell, Dean Brownlie and Brett Hampton has plaed good knocks and are amongst the runs consistently.

Pacer allrounders Corey Anderson and Scott Kuggleijn will add depth to the line with their batting and bowling skills. Neil Wagner and Kyle Abbott will form the pace bowling duo and open the bowling. Spinner Ish sodhi will also return to the playing XI.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Central Districts Stags Preview

Key Players:

Dane Cleaver – Cleaver scored 77 runs in just 38 runs smoking 5 sixes in last match. He will be tough to stop he gets going and finds rhythm

Adam Milne – Milne is a bowler who can rack up pace in the ranges of 140-150 kmph and trouble the batsmen. He can be dangerous if he couples his extra yard of pace with accuracy in line and length.

Missing players: Blair Tickner, Josh Clarkson

Stats from the tournament (Previous season)

Tom Bruce – 343 runs at strike rate 163 (HS –88*, 50s-2) 

Blair Tickner – 15 wickets at an economy of 8.1 RPO (BB -3/15) 

Central Districts Stags Predicted Playing XI:

Will Young, George Worker, Dean Foxcroft, Tom Bruce (c), Dane Cleaver (wk), Doug Bracewell, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Ben Wheeler, Adam Milne, Seth Rance.

Central Districts Stags Actual Playing XI:

Ish Sodhi, KY Abbott, Mitchell Santner, Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert, Scott Kuggeleijn, Dean Brownlie, Daryl Mitchell, Corey Anderson, Daniel Flynn, TG Southee

Northern Knights Preview

Key Players:

Corey Anderson – Anderson has played vital knocks of 36 and 42 runs in last two mtches a a good strike rate. He seems to have peaked at the right time. 

Neil Wagner – Wagner is an excellent bowler who has experience playing at the highest level. His ability to bowl short balls and slower ones will make him tough to score.  

Stats from the tournament (Previous season)

Daryll Mitchell – 318 runs at strike rate 140 (HS –78, 50s – 2)

Scott Kuggleijn – 13 wickets at an economy of 8.6 RPO (BB – 4/18)

Northern Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Neil Wagner, Dean Brownlie (c), Ish Sodhi, Corey Anderson, Kyle Abbott, Tim Seifert (wk), Scott Kuggeleijn, Brett Randell, Daryl Mitchell, Brett Hampton, Nick Kelly.

Northern Knights Actual Playing XI:

Dane Cleaver, Seth Rance, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Tom Bruce, Doug Bracewell, George Worker, Adam Milne, Ajaz Patel, Dean Foxcroft, Blair Tickner, Will Young

Weather Conditions

Seddon Park has a good balance between the bat and ball and is known to favor bowlers more. The average score in this pitch is around 150-160 runs. The ball may come slower in the second essay. 

Toss: WIN the toss, BAT First

Northern Knights have won all the three matches batting first here. And chasing becomes tough in a big match. So both captains will look to bat first in finals.