Wellington Firebirds vs Central Districts Stags, Super Smash 2018/19, Today Match Prediction 01 Feb 2019

wf vs cd Match Prediction & Analysis

Super Smash League reaches the final phase of the league stage and technically four teams are still in contention for the next round. Wellington and Central Districts in the race for qualification.

Wellington is currently placed in fourth position with 14 points. A win in this match pushes them ahead for Central Districts in points table. Wellington scored a massive 217 runs in their quota of twenty over’s. Devon Conway`s century and Tom Blundell`s 79 were the major contributions with the bat. James Neesham misses this match due to national duty. Pacer Ollie Newton and Spinner Jeetan Patel are the standout performers with the ball. Teenage spinner Rachin Ravindra made his mark with a three wicket haul last match.  

Central Districts are coming after a morale crushing 131 run-defeat against defending champions Northern Knights. They were bowled out for 99 runs after conceding 230 runs with the ball. Their place in qualifiers will be almost assured if they win this match. Skipper Tom Bruce is their batting star scoring runs at a healthy strike rate of nearly 160 consistently. Will Young and Dean Foxcroft provide the much needed support to their captain with the bat. They will be boosted by the return of all-rounder Doug Bracewell. Blair Tickner hasd a excellent tournament and he got a national call up due to his performances with the ball. Ben Wheeler, Seth Rance and Ajaz Patel form the core of the bowling attack of the team.  

TEAMS PREVIEW

Wellington Firebirds Preview

Key Players:

Tom Blundell – Blundell was promoted to No.3 last match and he responded with a brilliant 79* off just 44 balls, we can expect more fireworks from him.  

Rachin Ravindra – Youngster Rachin Ravindra made an impact in his first match with a spell of 3/32 in a high scoring contest where both teams scored over 200 runs. 

Stats from the tournament:

Devon Conway – 313 runs at strike rate 142 (HS – 105*, 100s-1) Highest run scorer

Ollie Newton – 10 wickets at an economy of 7.7 RPO (BB –3/26) 

Wellington Firebirds Predicted Playing XI:

Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Tom Blundell(w), Troy Johnson, Logan van Beek, Ollie Newton, Rachin Ravindra, Hamish Bennett(c), Jeetan Patel, Luke Woodcock, Ben Sears Logan Van Beek will come in the place of James Neesham in the playing XI. No other changes are expected.

Wellington Firebirds Actual Playing XI:

Hamish Bennett, Rachin Ravindra, TA Blundell, Luke Woodcock, Ollie Newton, Michael Bracewell, Jeetan Patel, Troy Johnson, Devon Conway, Logan van Beek, Ben Sears

Central Districts Stags Preview

Key Players:

Doug Bracewell – Bracewell was dropped from the NZ squad and he would like to prove his skills with the ball here to impress the national selectors. 

Ben Wheeler – After a good start, Wheeler is having a a couple bad matches with bowling figures of 0/44 & 0/39. He would like to regain his form and get wickets. 

 

Stats from the tournament:

Tom Bruce – 291 runs at strike rate 164 (HS –88*, 50s-2)

 

Blair Tickner – 12 wickets at an economy of 8.4 RPO (BB – 3/15)

Central Districts Stags Predicted Playing XI:

George Worker, Will Young, Dean Foxcroft, Tom Bruce(C&Wk), Josh Clarkson, Doug Bracewell, Ben Wheeler, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner, Seth Rance, Bevan Small They make three changes with Kiena Noema-Barnett, William Rudick and Ryan McCone replaced by Doug Bracewell , Seth Rance and Bevan Small in the playing XI.

Central Districts Stags Actual Playing XI:

Seth Rance, Tom Bruce, Josh Clarkson, Doug Bracewell, George Worker, Ajaz Patel, Dean Foxcroft, Bayley Wiggins, Blair Tickner, Ben Wheeler, Will Young

Weather Conditions

The dew factor may come into play due to the evening start. Wellington pitch is known to be good pitch maintaining balance between the bat and the ball. Scores in the range of 160-180 runs will be scored is considered par. 

Toss: WIN the toss, BAT First

Teams batting first has won three out of the four matches here so far this year. Chasing becomes difficult under lights, so both the captains will look to bat first if they win the toss.