Otago Volts vs Northern Knights, SS T20 2022, Today Match Prediction 28 December 2022

ov vs nk Match Prediction & Analysis

Not the start both the teams would have wanted, but they will look forward to making things right and getting started in the tournament. Both teams have gotten off to the worst start possible, starting their campaign with a loss. But nothing is lost as it's still very early in the tournament, and all teams are still finding their feet. 

Otago Volts would feel worse out of the two teams as they would feel it was a game that they should've won. But as it is quite early in the tournament, they will want to take it in their stride, look at the game's positives, and capitalize on that.

On the other hand, Northern Knights would want to clear their system and forget about the previous game. Despite the rain-affected game, they would have still wanted a much better performance, especially the bowling.
This match has all the ingredients to be a fascinating affair, as both teams would be eager to get their first wins on the table.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Otago Volts Preview

Otago Volts would have definitely not expected the game to not end in their favor, especially after the first-half bowling display. Losing the game by 8 runs would have definitely left the team extremely disappointed. They will want to make things right and come back stronger in the next game. 

First, Otago Volts did a fantastic job restricting Wellington to 152, picking up 8 wickets. Picking up wickets at regular intervals, they did not let the opposition get any momentum. Michael Rae was the pick of the bowlers as he ended up with 3 for 13 runs, despite bowling just 2 overs. 

Chasing such a small target, the Otago Volts would have expected an easy game and win. The batting department was disappointed as they bottled a game that they should have won. Slow batting by Dale Phillips cost them the game, as he scored 28 runs off 38 balls. Dean Foxcroft tried his best, scoring 73 off 57 balls but could not get the win. 

Key Players: Hamish Rutherford, Dean Foxcroft, Michael Rae, Llew Johnson

Otago Volts Predicted Playing XI:

Hamish Rutherford(c), Dale Phillips(w), Dean Foxcroft, Josh Finnie, Michael Rippon, Llew Johnson, Jake Gibson, Ben Lockrose, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Bacon, Michael Rae

Otago Volts Actual Playing XI:

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

Northern Knights Preview

Batting first in a rain-affected game is never easy. That was again proved by the northern knights as they struggled to make any impact with the bat and, later, the ball. They will be extremely disappointed by the way they played, and if they do not raise their performances, it seems very difficult for them to make the playoffs. 

Batting first, they could not get any kind of momentum into their play. Losing early wickets and wickets at regular intervals did not help either. Every batsman struggled to get going. The only notable performance with the bat came from Brett Hampton, who scored 25 off 17 balls, trying to get them to a respectable total.

The bowling department didn’t have much to defend. Getting an early wicket in the powerplay boosted their confidence, but it was the only wicket they picked up. Canterbury ran away with the game, chasing it in 12.5 overs. Tim Pringle picked up the only wicket and conceded just 13 runs in the 3 overs he bowled. 

Key Players:  Tim Seifert, Brett Hampton, Tim Pringle, Joe Walker

Northern Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Tim Seifert(w), Katene Clarke, Jeet Raval(c), Joe Carter, Mitchell Santner, Henry Cooper, Brett Hampton, Scott Kuggeleijn, Kristian Clarke, Tim Pringle, Joe Walker

Northern Knights Actual Playing XI:

Kristian Clarke, Katene Clarke, Tim Seifert, Scott Kuggeleijn, Joe Walker, Tim Pringle, Brett Hampton, Joe Carter, Jeet Raval, Henry Cooper, Mitchell Santner

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather will be extremely good to play cricket. The maximum and minimum temperatures will be in the 28°C - 9°C range, with no signs of rain.

Venue Details

The John Davies Oval Stadium in Queenstown, New Zealand, will be hosting this encounter.  The capacity of the ground is 19,000. In the last 2 T20s played here, the team batting first has won both games.

Toss: To Bat

The team that wins the toss would want to bat first. Given the history of the ground, the team will look to bat first. Using the pitch while it is fresh, will be the best thing to do, as it can wear down as the match moves forward.