Wellington Firebirds vs Northern Knights, Super Smash 2020-21, Today Match Prediction 09 Jan 2021

wf vs nk Match Prediction & Analysis

Table toppers Wellington Firebirds would take on the Northern Knights in the 12th game of the Super Smash in what would be a very important game for the Knights. The Firebirds have won all their three games and had defeated the Northern Knights in their last game by a huge margin. The Knights regained form in the last game as they defeated the Central Stags. 

It has been a bit of struggle for the Knights so far in the tournament as they have managed just one win in their four games so far. It will be interesting to see if they are able to overcome the last loss against the Firebirds and turn the tables in this game. Considering the form the Firebirds are in at the moment this isn’t expected to be an easy contest. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Wellington Firebirds Preview

Michael Bracewell’s side has been tremendous so far in the season and they have won all their three games and sit on the top of the points table. The side registered a comprehensive 9-wicket win in the last game against the Northern Knights. As they play the same team again Bracewell would be confident about his side’s prospects and want them to carry on with the same rhythm. 

Devon Conway and Finn Allen have done well opening the batting and they would look to provide a strong platform here as well. Rachin Ravindra looks in good form and he will look to guide the middle order that James Neesham and Bracewell who can put up quick runs in the game. With Jamie Gibson, Troy Johnson and Logan van Beek to follow in the batting they have got all their bases covered. 

Hamish Bennett and Ben Sears shall focus on bowling tighter lines with the new ball as they leaked runs in the last game. Neesham and van Beek were spot on with their line and length in the last game and would be eager to continue with the same momentum. With Peter Younghusband and Ravindra also troubling the batsmen they have good variety in the bowling department for this game. 

Wellington Firebirds Predicted Playing XI:

Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, James Neesham, Jamie Gibson, Troy Johnson, Logan van Beek, Peter Younghusband, Ben Sears, Hamish Bennett

Wellington Firebirds Actual Playing XI:

Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Logan van Beek, Jamie Gibson, Hamish Bennett, PY Husband, Michael Bracewell, Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Troy Johnson, James Neesham

Northern Knights Preview

It was finally something to cheer about for Anton Devcich’s side as they registered their first win of the season against the Central Stags. It was a good all-round effort from the players as they restricted the opponents to a small total and chase it down comfortably. Devcich would want his side to erase the sad memories of their last loss against the Knights by winning this game. 

Tim Seifert has looked in good form in the four games played so far and he would have to provide a good start with Katene Clarke. Dean Brownlie, Henry Cooper and Anton Devcich will have to make their contributions in the middle order as they haven’t been consistent so far. With Brett Hampton and Scott Kuggeleijn in the lower order the side has good batting to follow. 

On the bowling front things haven’t quite gone the way as the side would have liked. Frederick Walker and Kuggeleijn will need to strike early in the game. Zak Gibson and Brett Hampton bowled well in the last game and this would add to their confidence. Cooper, Joe Walker and Frederick Walker will need to keep the line tight in the middle overs as they had done in the last game. 

Northern Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Anton Devcich (c), Katene Clarke, Tim Seifert (wk), Dean Brownlie, Henry Cooper, Brett Hampton, Scott Kuggeleijn, Frederick Walker, Zak Gibson, Joe Walker, Matthew Fisher

Northern Knights Actual Playing XI:

Matthew Fisher, Anton Devcich, Brett Hampton, Joe Carter, Jeet Raval, Zak Gibson, Tim Seifert, Scott Kuggeleijn, Mitchell Santner, Joe Walker, Katene Clarke

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies over Wellington would be clear on January 09 and the conditions would be perfect for batting. The track is a good one to bat on where the ball comes on to the bat and this will allow batsmen to play their strokes freely. The side that bats first in the game would have to target a score of 180 runs on this surface.

Venue Details

The pitch at Basin Reserve, Wellington offers early assistance to the fast bowlers is but it is without doubt one of the best surfaces to bat on. The dimensions of this ground are larger compared to others in New Zealand and hence batsmen have to rely on ones and twos to score big here. Spinners have also done well at this venue in the past.

Toss: To Bowl

The track here is a good one to bat on and we have seen big scores being chased here. The wicket does have some assistance for the bowlers early on in the game which both sides would like to exploit. Hence we believe the side winning the toss in this game should have little hesitation in bowling first.