Northern Knights vs Canterbury Kings, SS T20 2021, Today Match Prediction

nk vs ck Match Prediction & Analysis

It’s time for the finals of the Super Smash 2021-22 where Northern Knights will be taking on Canterbury Kings in Seddon Park this Saturday. The Northern Knights will start as hot favorites. They topped the group stage and have entered the finals on the back of 8 wins in a row. They have also defeated Canterbury both the times the teams clashed this season. Canterbury has had a great run as well and will be hoping to play out of their skins to become the champions.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Northern Knights Preview

The Northern Knights have had a dream run in the Super Smash 2021-22. They have lost just one game early on in the season and have been virtually unbeatable after that. Their success has not been dependent on a few individual performers; different men have stepped up in different games. 

Opener Tim Seifert has been the team’s most successful batter with 234 runs at a strike rate of 123.80. All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has done a fantastic job down the order and already has 231 runs at 144.37. He will be the main batter to watch out for in the finals. Captain Jeet Raval (175 runs at 117.44) will also be hoping to end the season with an impactful knock.

The Knights’ bowling has been their biggest strength this season. With Trent Boult and Tim Southee starting the proceedings and spinners Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner doing the job in the middle overs, they have possibly the best bowling lineup of the tournament. They also have medium-pacer Anurag Verma (14 wickets at an economy of 7.42) who is their joint-highest wicket-taker along with off-spinner Joe Walker (14 wickets at 6.74). It won’t be easy for Canterbury to get past this potent attack.

Northern Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Katene Clarke, Tim Seifert (wk), Jeet Raval (c), Mitchell Santner, Colin de Grandhomme, Henry Cooper, Anurag Verma, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Joe Walker, Trent Boult

Northern Knights Actual Playing XI:

Ish Sodhi, Anurag Verma, Katene Clarke, Tim Seifert, Scott Kuggeleijn, Joe Walker, Mitchell Santner, Jeet Raval, Henry Cooper, Colin de Grandhomme, TG Southee

Canterbury Kings Preview

Canterbury Kings couldn’t have come to the finals in a better state. They took down defending champions Wellington Firebirds in the Elimination Final with relative ease, overhauling a target of 191 with 3 balls and 6 wickets to spare. Cam Fletcher’s incredible unbeaten knock of 63 off 25 balls down the order was the highlight of the chase.

Canterbury has a really solid batting unit. Opener Chad Bowes is their highest run-getter at 314 runs with a strike rate of 142. Tom Latham at the top provides them with further stability followed by Daryl Mitchell. Captain Cole McConchie hasn’t got going this season, but Cam Fletcher, who is now striking at 160, makes up for it.

The team’s bowling primarily revolves around Henry Shipley (16 wickets at an economy of 7.22) and Ed Nuttall (15 wickets at 9.40). Matt Henry has been expensive of late but he picks up wickets. The spin of McConchie and Todd Astle (10 wickets at 6.57) will also be crucial here.
 

Canterbury Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Chad Bowes, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Leo Carter, Cole McConchie (c), Cam Fletcher (wk), Henry Shipley, Matt Henry, Todd Astle, Ed Nuttall, Mitchell Hay

Canterbury Kings Actual Playing XI:

Matt Henry, Leo Carter, Todd Astle, Henry Shipley, Chad Bowes, Cameron Fletcher, Tom Latham, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Ed Nuttall, Mitchell Hay

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Seddon Park is a good T20 wicket. It always offers something for both the batters and bowlers. While there has only been one completed game here this season, we have seen how the wicket remained true throughout. Seamers will enjoy bowling on this wicket.

The weather in Hamilton on the day of the game is expected to be partly sunny and warm.

Venue Details

The average score batting first at Seddon Park is 164. Totals between 170 and 189 runs have been scored on 9 occasions here. The team batting first in the final will have to look to set a target of about 180 runs.

Toss: To Bat

The team winning the toss might look to bat first as this is the final match and it’s always better to have a big score on the board in such a game.