Wellington Firebirds vs Canterbury Kings, Super Smash 2019-20, Today Match Prediction 09 Jan 2020

wf vs ck Match Prediction & Analysis

Host Wellington will be looking to maintain their dominance in the competition when they take on Canterbury in the 25th game of Super Smash at Basin Reserve on Thursday. Michael Bracewell-led unit has managed to win six matches out of eight played so far. The franchise might give opportunities to fringe players as they have already sealed their place in the playoffs of the competition.

Canterbury suffered a narrow defeat against Central Districts and is already out of the playoff race. Captain Cole McConchie will be hoping that the side can deliver an improved batting performance against table-toppers Wellington.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Wellington Firebirds Preview

Two-time Super Smash Champions continued their winning ways after registering a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Otago, courtesy 49-ball century from Devon Conway. The bowlers produced an excellent effort to restrict Otago to 168 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Chasing 169 runs to win, Wellington openers Devon Conway and Michael Pollard got the side off to a flying start. Pugnacious opener Devon Conway led the way with the bat and smashed unbeaten 101 runs off 49 balls with the help of 15 boundaries and 3 sixes. He was well supported by Michael Pollard, who scored 63 runs off 51 balls with the help of two fours and three sixes.

The biggest positive for Wellington in this year’s competition has been the scintillating form shown by wicket-keeper batsman Devon Conway, who is currently leading the batting charts this season. In 8 matches, Conway accumulated 374 runs at an average of 74.80, which includes one century and three half-centuries. Besides Conway, Michael Pollard and James Neesham have been bankable performers for Wellington in this year’s competition. On the bowling front, the new-ball pair of Ollie Newton and Hamish Bennett have delivered excellent performances so far this season. The pace duo has collectively picked up 25 wickets between them. In the previous fixture, Captain Michael Bracewell bowled well and finished with figures of 2 for 32 in his four overs

Wellington Firebirds Predicted Playing XI:

Michael Bracewell (captain), Devon Conway (wk), Michael Pollard, Rachin Ravindra, James Neesham, Fraser Colson, Jamie Gibson, Peter Younghusband, Logan van Beek, Ollie Newton, Hamish Bennett

Wellington Firebirds Actual Playing XI:

Will Williams, Stephen Murdoch, Cole McConchie, Ed Nuttall, Chad Bowes, Sean Davey, Leo Carter, Andrew Ellis, Jack Boyle, Henry Burton Shipley, Cameron Fletcher

Canterbury Kings Preview

For Canterbury, batting has proven to be their Achilles Heel so far in this year’s competition. Against Central Districts, Canterbury got off to a poor start and was reduced to 86 for 6 in 13.4 overs.

Cam Fletcher produced valiant innings for the side and fought hard till the end. But in the end, it went all in vain as Canterbury could only post 164 runs in their allotted 20 overs. The only positive to come out from the previous game was Cam Fletcher, who played exceedingly well and finished the innings with the top-score of 65 runs off 37 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Chad Bowes, Jack Boyle and wicket-keeper Cam Fletcher to do the bulk of the scoring. Chad Bowes and Jack Boyle perished for low scores in the game played against Central Districts. The opening pair will be determined to produce decent scores against Wellington. Stephen Murdoch played well and scored 32 off 27 balls with the help of three fours and one six, whereas Henry Shipley chipped in with 27 runs off 15 balls with the help of three fours and one six. Left-arm medium-pacer Ed Nuttall bowled well against Central Districts and finished with figures of 2 for 27 in his three overs. Captain Cole McConchie and Andrew Ellis also picked up crucial wickets for the side.

Canterbury Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Cole McConchie (captain), Leo Carter, Cam Fletcher (wk), Jack Boyle, Chad Bowes, Stephen Murdoch, Andrew Ellis, Henry Shipley, Sean Davey, Will Williams, Ed Nuttall

Canterbury Kings Actual Playing XI:

Rachin Ravindra, Hamish Bennett, Devon Conway, Logan van Beek, Lauchie Johns, Ollie Newton, Fraser Colson, Peter Younghusband, Michael Bracewell, Michael Pollard, Jamie Gibson

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared for the game will be excellent for batting. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Thursday is going to be sunny intervals with a gentle breeze.

Venue Details

Basin Reserve in Wellington is going to host the 25th game of Super Smash competition between Wellington and Canterbury. Wellington will take heart from the fact that they have won their last four matches against Canterbury in the competition.

Toss: To Bat

The side that wins the toss would be looking to bat first and put runs on the board. The last three matches played at Basin Reserve have been won by side batting first.