Central Stags vs Otago Volts, Super Smash 2019-20, Today Match Prediction 02 Jan 2020

cd vs ov Match Prediction & Analysis

Table-toppers Otago Volts would be gearing up to face an equally competent Otago Volts in their first face-off of Super Smash 2019-20.

Volts led Jacob Duffy, have had a dream run so far with 4 wins in 6 matches with their last two matches being won by gigantic margins. The likes of Neil Broom, Hamish Rutherford, and Michael Rae have done a commendable job off late and would be banked upon in the coming game as well.

Meanwhile, Central Stags who started their T20 campaign with wins in the initial two matches have been struggling to score a triumph of late. The Tom Bruce-captained side has lost three matches in a row and would possibly wish to avoid a fourth in the coming bout.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Central Stags Preview

Tom Bruce (41-ball 67) and George Worker (39-ball 62) were the top-performers with the bat in the previous match against Auckland Aces. Bruce (218 runs in 6 innings) has been the highest run-getter for Central Stags this season and would carry the onus of scoring the chunk of runs in the upcoming T20.

Dean Cleaver (132 runs in 6 innings) and Kieran Barnett (124 runs in 6 innings) have laid concrete exhibitions while batting in the middle order.

Among the bowlers, spinner Ajaz Patel (10 wickets in 6 innings) and Kieran Barnett (9 wickets in 6 innings) are occupying the first and third spots in the leading wicket-takers tally in Super Smash 2019-20. Blair Tickner (6 wickets in 5 innings) has been one of the vital cogs in the powerplay overs and would look to capitalize on his pace prowess versus Otago Volts.

Central Stags Predicted Playing XI:

Tom Bruce (c), Ryan Watson, Willem Ludick, Christian Leopard, Blair Tickner, Josh Clarkson, Ajaz Patel, Dane Cleaver, George Worker, Seth Rance, Kieran Barnett

Central Stags Actual Playing XI:

Dane Cleaver, Willem Ludick, Josh Clarkson, Ben Wheeler, Ajaz Patel, George Worker, Christian Leopard, Blair Tickner, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Tom Bruce, Ryan Watson

Otago Volts Preview

Volts have a solid top-order in Neil Broom (238 runs in 6 innings), Nick Kelly (222 runs in 6 innings) and Hamish Rutherford (158 runs in 6 innings). Broom is topping the batting charts in the concurrent edition of Super Smash and would look to continue his stellar run in the coming games.

Josh Finnie (145 runs in 5 innings) has been pretty sensational in the middle-order, in fact, he scored a match-winning 36-ball 71* in the recent contest against Canterbury.

Pacer Nathan Smith (9 wickets in 5 innings) would be spearheading the bowling department. Skipper Jacob Duffy and Michael Rae have picked 6 wickets each this season and along with spinner Anaru Kitchen would look to dominate the Stags.

Otago Volts Predicted Playing XI:

Jacob Duffy (c), Max Chu (wk), Dean Foxcroft, Nathan Smith, Nick Kelly, Michael Rae, Josh Finnie, Michael Rippon, Anaru Kitchen, Hamish Rutherford, Neil Broom

Otago Volts Actual Playing XI:

Michael Rae, Jacob Duffy, Nick Kelly, NT Broom, Anaru Kitchen, Michael Rippon, Hamish Rutherford, Joshua Finnie, Max chu, Travis Muller, Dale Phillips

Weather Conditions

It will be partly sunny at the start of the play with cloud cover taking over as the game progresses further. However, no chances of rain are being predicted and thus 40-overs of play could be expected at McClean Park.

Venue Details

The wicket at McClean Park has been a batters paradise with the average 1st innings total being 155 in the T20s. The match between Central Stags and Northern Knights witnessed 221 runs being put in the 1st innings. Thus, it shouldn't come as a surprise if there occurs a high-scoring encounter in the coming feud.

Toss: To Bat

The toss winning captain should look to bat first on this occasion. Two matches have been played at this venue in Super Smash 2019-20 with both them being won by the team batting first. Not to forget, there would be clouds circling around the stadium in the second half, aiding the pacers in getting the desired swing and seam.