Wellington Firebirds vs Auckland Aces, Plunket Shield 2022-23, Today Match Prediction 05 November 2022

wf vs auc Match Prediction & Analysis

Host Wellington will be keen to get back to winning ways when they take on Auckland in the 8th match of the Plunkett Shield 2022-23 at Basin Reserve in Wellington.

In the previous four-day game played at Wellington, Wellington were completely outplayed by Canterbury in all three departments. Skipper Tom Blundell will be hoping that the side can put in an improved batting performance.

On the other hand, Auckland also failed to get going in both their innings against Central District. Skipper Robert O’Donnell will be hoping that the side can make a strong comeback.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Wellington Firebirds Preview

Despite losing their previous four-day match, Wellington will be keen to continue with the same combination that featured against Canterbury.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on in-form captain Tom Blundell and batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra to deliver the bulk of the runs.

Captain Tom Blundell has topped the batting charts for Wellington in this year’s Plunkett Shield. In four innings, Blundell has accumulated 196 runs at an average of 49.00 with one century and one half-century.

Besides Blundell, Rachin Ravindra has scored 185 runs in four innings at an average of 46.25 with one century to his name.

In the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of Ollie Newton, Ben Sears, Ian McPeake and Michael Snedden to deliver crucial breakthroughs.

With 11 wickets to his name, Ian McPeake is leading wicket-taker for Wellington so far this season.

Wellington Firebirds Predicted Playing XI:

Luke Georgeson, Rachin Ravindra, Troy Johnson, Nick Kelly, Tim Robinson, Jakob Bhula, Tom Blundell (c & wk), Ollie Newton, Ben Sears, Ian McPeake, Michael Snedden

Auckland Aces Preview

The visitors will need to make adjustments and put in a decent show with the bat against Wellington. In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of George Worker, Robert O’Donnell, Sean Solia and Cole Briggs to deliver the bulk of the runs.

In the previous match, Cole Briggs notched up a half-century, whereas Robert O’Donnell scored 40 runs off 103 balls.

In the bowling department, the side will be depending on the likes of Simon Keene, Aditya Ashok, Danru Ferns and William Somerville to deliver timely breakthroughs.

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

William O Donnell, Sean Solia, Cole Briggs, Robert O’Donnell (c), George Worker, Ben Horne (wk), Ryan Harrison, William Somerville, Simon Keene, Adithya Ashok, Danru Ferns

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

With rains expected for all four-days of the match, the wicket will certainly assist the quick bowlers. The batsmen will have to grind out runs on a tricky surface.

Venue Details

Basin Reserve in Wellington is going to host the 8th match of the 2022-23 Plunkett Shield competition between Wellington and Auckland.

Toss: To Bowl

Both the teams will be keen to win the toss, bowl first and exploit the bowler friendly conditions at Basin Reserve.