Otago Volts vs Canterbury Kings, SS T20 2021, Today Match Prediction 23 January 2022

ov vs ck Match Prediction & Analysis

Canterbury Kings look all set to finish at the 2nd place at the end of the league stage this season. They have 24 points from 9 games currently and even if they win their last match against Otago Volts, they won’t be able to overtake Northern Knights who are sitting firmly at the top place with 30 points.

Otago Volts have had the worst possible season of the Super Smash. They will be ending at the bottom of the table regardless of the result of this game as they have just 6 points from 9 matches. They have already been defeated by Canterbury once this season comprehensively but would be looking to end things on a high from their home venue.
 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Otago Volts Preview

Otago Volts have won just 1 match this season – against the Northern Knights – and lost 7. It’s been a disastrous season for them where nothing’s worked. Their batting, particularly, let them down this time. Barring captain Hamish Rutherford, who was their top run-getter with 223 runs at a strike rate of 132.73, not many could put up consistent performances. Neil Broom (164 runs at 104.45), Nick Kelly (158 runs at 118.79), and Anaru Kitchen (152 runs at 138.18) did play some crucial knocks but they weren’t consistent enough. 

Their bowling wasn’t penetrative this season. Anaru Kitchen has been their standout performer with 11 wickets at an economy of 6.27. Even in their last game against Auckland, it was Kitchen’s 4-11 from 4 overs that kept them in the game for a while. Other than him, left-arm chinaman Michael Rippon (9 wickets at 8.70) did leave an impression, but overall, the others leaked a lot of runs and couldn’t keep the batters in check.

Otago Volts Predicted Playing XI:

Hamish Rutherford (c), Neil Broom, Nick Kelly, Dale Phillips, Llew Johnson, Anaru Kitchen, Michael Rippon, Max Chu (wk), Angus McKenzie, Jake Gibson, Jacob Duffy

Otago Volts Actual Playing XI:

Michael Rippon, Jacob Duffy, Angus McKenzie, Neil Broom, Anaru Kitchen, Michael Rae, Matthew Bacon, Hamish Rutherford, Max chu, Nick Kelly, Dale Phillips

Canterbury Kings Preview

Canterbury Kings will be looking to end the season with a solid win so that they can enter the Elimination Final with a positive frame of mind. Even though they lost their previous match against Northern Knights, they have nothing to worry about. 

Their batting unit looks pretty solid and settled. Opener Chad Bowes, the team’s leading run-getter this season with 243 runs at a strike rate of 147.27, looked in good knick in the match against the Knights where he scored a fluent 58 off 40 balls. The addition of Tom Latham at the top has come as a great blessing at the right time for Canterbury. Cam Fletcher (233 runs at 146.54) would be eager to get a good knock under his belt before the knock-out stage.

On the bowling front, Canterbury has many match-winners. Ed Nuttall with 15 scalps at an economy of 9.15 has been the team’s best bowler. Henry Shipley (11 wickets at 7.82) and Matt Henry (11 wickets at 6.75) have done a terrific job at the start. Leg-spinner Todd Astle (10 wickets at 6.28) has managed to keep things tight.
 

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, William ORourke, Ed Nuttall

Canterbury Kings Actual Playing XI:

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

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at University Oval in Dunedin is a fairly good one for batting which offers consistent bounce and doesn’t change much till the end. It’s not the best surface for bowlers but spinners might get some grip.

The weather at Dunedin on the day of the match is expected to be bright and clear.
 

Venue Details

The average score batting first at University Oval is 166. Scores between 170 and 189 have been achieved 5 times here. The team first in this game will have to look for a total of about 185-190 runs to feel safe.

Toss: To Bowl

Both the matches played on this venue this season have been won by the team chasing. You can expect the captain winning the toss to bat second in this game.