Otago Volts vs Central Districts Stags, Super Smash 2018/19, Today Match Prediction 06 Jan 2019

ov vs cd Match Prediction & Analysis

Otago Volts will look to extend their lead at the top of league table when they take on Central Districts in the 11th game of Super Smash competition in Dunedin on Sunday.

Otago have got off to a perfect start in this year’s competition with eight points from three matches. A win here would see them clinch top spot in the points table. In their previous game, Otago suffered defeat at the hands of Northern Knights.

On the other hand, Central Districts are currently languishing at the bottom of the league table after back-to-back defeats in the competition. They were comprehensively beaten by Wellington Firebirds in a game played in Pukekura Park on Monday.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Otago Volts Preview

Jacob Duffy led-unit will be keen to get back to winning ways after performing poorly in their previous game against Northern Knights.

In the batting department, the side will be heavily depending on Anaru Kitchen, who so far has scored 127 runs in 3 matches at an average of 42.33, and opening batsman Neil Broom, who scored 88 runs at an average of 29.33. 

It will be interesting to see if opener Hamish Rutherford will get a chance to redeem himself in the next match after managing to score just 70 runs in nine matches at an average of 23.33. Shawn Hicks and Ben Cox need to put in crucial contributions with the bat for Otago in this game.

In the bowling department, the dependence is clearly on medium pacer Christi Viljeon, who is the franchises’ leading wicket-taker with 7 scalps at an economy rate of 5.77. Captain Jacob Duffy also bowled well in the previous game and picked up three wickets against Northern Knights.

Otago Volts Predicted Playing XI:

Jacob Duffy (c), Anaru Kitchen, Hamish Rutherford, Neil Broom, Shawn Hicks, Ben Cox (wk), Michael Rippon, Matthew Bacon, Josh Finnie, Nathan Smith, Christi Viljeon

Central Districts Stags Preview

Captain Tom Bruce will be hoping that his side can raise their game with bat and ball to end their winless streak in the competition.

In the batting department, the team will be depending on Captain Tom Bruce, who has contributed significantly to the team’s cause by scoring 124 runs in 3 matches at an average of 62.00.

The team management will be concerned over the form of openers George Worker and Dane Cleaver, who have not scored runs at the top of the innings. The biggest disappointment has been Will Young, who has only managed to score 38 runs in 3 matches at an average of 12.66.

Middle-order batsman Josh Clarkson played well in the previous game and scored 31 off 19 balls with the help of two fours and two sixes.

In the bowling department, the team will be relying on the likes of Seth Rance, Ben Wheeler and Blair Tickner to provide crucial breakthroughs in this game

Central Districts Stags Predicted Playing XI:

Tom Bruce (c), Will Young, Dane Cleaver (wk), George Worker, Josh Clarkson, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Ben Wheeler, Seth Rance, Blair Tickner, Willem Ludick, Dean Foxcroft.

Weather Conditions

The pitch prepared for the game is going to be a belter with the plenty of runs for both teams. The weather forecast for Sunday will see showers in the evening. Rain might have a role to play in the outcome of this game.

Venue

The University Oval in Dunedin hosted only two games of the Super Smash competition last season. The last game at the venue was between England and New Zealand played in March.

Toss: To Bowl

The side that wins the toss would like to bowl first. The last two games played at the venue have been won by sides batting second.