Otago Volts vs Auckland Aces, SS T20 2021, Today Match Prediction 29 December 2021

ov vs auc Match Prediction & Analysis

Otago Volts have now dropped to the bottom of the table after losing three matches in a row. They now have just 1 win from 6 games and 5 losses at a poor net run rate of -1.392. They will next be facing Auckland Aces who are fresh off a win and are at the 4th place in the table with 2 wins and 2 losses in 4 games at a net run of -0.493. This might be a close contest but Auckland has the advantage given their recent form.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Otago Volts Preview

Otago Volts desperately need a win to get their campaign back on track. They have now lost three matches in a row and are coming off a defeat against Wellington Firebirds. After opting to bat first, Otago put on 166-7 on the board and Wellington chased the target down with 5 wickets and 4 balls to spare. Otago’s top and middle-order failed once again and it was only Anaru Kitchen’s fighting 54 off 34 balls that helped them get to a respectable total. The likes of Neil Broom, Nick Kelly, and Llew Johnson have been disappointing. Captain Hamish Rutherford, who struck a fluent 62 off 48 balls in the match against Canterbury previously, will need to deliver here.

Otago’s bowling hasn’t been too great either. Michael Rippon has been really expensive in the last two games. Matthew Bacon too hasn’t got his touch. Only Anaru Kitchen and Michael Rippon have been consistent. They need to give more overs to Angus McKenzie who has the ability to keep things tight.
 

Otago Volts Predicted Playing XI:

Hamish Rutherford (c), JJ Tasman-Jones, Neil Broom, Nick Kelly, Anaru Kitchen, Llew Johnson, Michael Rippon, Max Chu (wk), Angus McKenzie, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Bacon

Otago Volts Actual Playing XI:

Jacob Duffy, Angus McKenzie, Neil Broom, Beckham Wheeler Greenall, Tasman Jones, Anaru Kitchen, Llew Johnson, Matthew Bacon, Hamish Rutherford, Max chu, Nick Kelly

Auckland Aces Preview

Auckland Aces have got some momentum going into their campaign after registering two back-to-back wins – against Wellington Firebirds by 13 runs and against Central Stags by 4 wickets. In their last match against the Stags, Auckland chased down a target of 169 with 4 wickets ad 1 ball to spare. Martin Guptill finally came back to form with a sparkling unbeaten 79 off 58 balls. He is the team’s batting mainstay and would have to continue his form as the others in the batting unit have been inconsistent. George Worker has been out of sorts and Mark Chapman, after a fifty in the last game, failed this time. Captain Robert O’Donnell looked good for his 34 off 26 balls and perhaps it’s time he promoted himself a little up the order.

Auckland’s bowling primarily revolves around Lockie Ferguson, Ben Lister, and Adithya Ashok who have all looked in a good rhythm. Ferguson returned with figures of 2-24 in the last match against Central Stags and will be the key bowler here again. Left-arm spinner Louis Delport was expensive in the last game (2-51 off 4 overs) but he’s a crucial part of this lineup too.
 

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

George Worker, Martin Guptill, Mark Chapman, Cole Briggs, Robert ODonnell (c), Ben Horne (wk), Sean Solia, Lockie Ferguson, Louis Delport, Adithya Ashok, Ben Lister

Auckland Aces Actual Playing XI:

Sean Solia, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Horne, Robert O'Donnell, Glenn Phillips, William Somerville, Benjamin Lister, Adithya Ashok, George Worker, Martin Guptill

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

As we saw in the last match at John Davies Oval, the pitch is great for batting and remains even throughout the game. Batters will have a good time here but seam bowlers and spinners will get some help during the middle overs.

The weather at Queenstown for the day of the match is expected to be cloud, which could help the seam bowlers get some assistance. 
 

Venue Details

The last match between Otago Volts and Wellington Firebirds was the first T20 match played at John Davies Oval. It was a high-scoring game where Wellington chased down a target of 167 with ease. The team batting first in this game would have to look to set a target of around 180-190 runs.

Toss: To Bowl

The team winning the toss is likely to bat second. The wicket remains true throughout and chasing will hence be better.