Otago Volts vs Auckland Aces, SS T20 2022, Today Match Prediction 29 December 2022

ov vs auc Match Prediction & Analysis

The Otago Volts shall feel the heat as they take on the Auckland Aces in the 6th game of Super Smash 2022-23. The Volts have lost both their games and come here after a massive defeat against the Northern Knights. The Aces have started well as they defeated the Canterbury Kings in their tournament's opening game, adding to the side's confidence.  

The Auckland Aces have enjoyed an upper hand over the Otago Volts and have won the last four out of five games between the two sides. The Volts won't find it easy after two consecutive losses in the tournament. They play at home, and it will be interesting to see how they approach this game. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Otago Volts Preview

Hamish Rutherford's side has been through two consecutive losses. They batted poorly in the last game against the Northern Knights to go down by 7 wickets. The team would look to put these losses behind them and get their first points for the season. Rutherford will want to see a fighting effort from his side as they take on a formidable team in this game.  

Hamish Rutherford and Thorn Parkes missed out in the last game, and the side needs a strong start from them. Dean Foxcroft, Josh Finnie, and Michael Rippon must build partnerships in the middle order and need to score runs at a better strike rate. Llew Johnson and Jake Gibson can bat, and they have vital roles in the lower middle order for the side to win this game.   

Jacob Duffy needs to use his experience as he opens the bowling with Ben Lockrose. The pair must strike early to put Auckland on the back foot. Michael Rae and Matthew Bacon need to bowl good spells in the middle overs, as the Aces have a strong batting line-up. Michael Rippon, Dean Foxcroft, and Josh Finnie must keep up the pressure in the supporting role.

Otago Volts Predicted Playing XI:

Hamish Rutherford (c), Dean Foxcroft, Thorn Parkes (wk), Josh Finnie, Michael Rippon, Jake Gibson, Llew Johnson, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Bacon, Ben Lockrose, Michael Rae

Otago Volts Actual Playing XI:

Llew Johnson, Michael Rae, Dean Foxcroft, Benjamin Lockrose, Joshua Finnie, Thorn Parkes, Matthew Bacon, Hamish Rutherford, Jake Gibson, Andrew Hazeldine, Michael Rippon

Auckland Aces Preview

William O'Donnell’s team has started the season on a positive note. It was a good show from the side in their last game against the Canterbury Kings, where they won by 4 wickets. The skipper would like his players to continue with the same momentum and earn their second win of the season in this game.  

George Worker and Max O'Dowd didn't score runs in the last game, and the pair would look to do well here. Cole Briggs, Mark Chapman, and William O'Donnell must add runs in the middle order after falling cheaply in the last game. The side has strength down the order, with Sean Solia and Ben Horne setting up a match-winning partnership in the last game, and they will look to carry this form forward.  

Lockie Ferguson and Ben Lister bowled well in the last game, and the pair shall aim for early wickets in this game. Solia comes here with a poor show against Canterbury, and he needs to do well in the middle overs with Louis Delport. Adithya Ashok and Chapman add depth to this bowling attack.

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

William O'Donnell (c), George Worker, Max ODowd, Mark Chapman, Cole Briggs, Sean Solia, Ben Horne (wk), Louis Delport, Adithya Ashok, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Lister

Auckland Aces Actual Playing XI:

Sean Solia, Benjamin Lister, George Worker, Ben Horne, Lockie Ferguson, Mark Chapman, Adithya Ashok, Robert O'Donnell, William O'Donnell, Max O Dowd, Louis Delport

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There would be clear skies over Queenstown on December 29. We expect a flat surface where the ball would come onto the bat, allowing batsmen to play their strokes. Bowlers shall have little margin for error on this surface. The side batting first shall look for a score of 170 runs or more in this game.

Venue Details

John Davies Oval, Queenstown, is an excellent venue for batters. We have seen several high-scoring encounters as the pitch has become flatter and the outfield faster in recent years. Fast bowlers have done well at the venue as the ball hits the bat hard, but there isn't much on this track for the spinners.

Toss: To Bat

The conditions have been good for batting at this venue. The wicket tends to slow down in the second half and makes lives difficult for the batters. The side winning the toss would look to play freely with the bat by opting to bat first.