Wellington Firebirds vs Northern Knights , Plunket Shield 2022-23, Today Match Prediction 18 October 2022

wf vs nk Match Prediction & Analysis

Plunket Shield is one of the oldest first class cricket formats present in the cricketing world and has paved way for the development of New Zealand players predominantly. Wellington is one of the four inaugural teams that started playing in 1906-07 season and has won the trophy 21 times so far. Northern Knights are the last entrant in the Shield cricket making their debut way back in 1956/57 and they have won the title 8 times so far. Both teams will look to take this opportunity to kick start their campaign with a victory and vital points to their name.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Wellington Firebirds Preview

Wellington will be led by wicket-keeper batter Tom Blundell.  Rachin Ravindra and Devan Vishwaka will open the batting with the experienced players Troy Johnson, Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, and Luke Georgeson expected to support their skipper Tom Blundell in the middle order.

Pace trio of David Hancock, Michael Sneddon, and Ian McPeake will share the pace bowling responsibilities for the team. Rachin Ravindra and Nick Kelly will combine together for their spin department. Adam Leonard or Luke Georgeson might slot in depending on the conditions on the offer.

Key players to bet on: Rachin Ravindra, Ian McPeake, Tom Blundell

Wellington Firebirds Predicted Playing XI:

Rachin Ravindra, Devan Vishwaka, Troy Johnson, Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, Luke Georgeson, David Hancock, Michael Sneddon, Ian McPeake, Tom Blundell, Nick Greenwood

Northern Knights Preview

The duo of Jeet Raval and Henry Cooper will open the batting for the Northern knights’ team. Experienced campaigners Colin De Grand Homme, Bharat popli, and Tim Seifert are expected to aid their skipper Joe carter in the middle order. Young players Ketene Clarke is expected to slot in the middle order alongside all-rounder Bret Randell.

Pace duo of Neil Wagner and Mathew Fisher will be their key pace bowlers with Bret Randell, Colin De GrandHomme, and young Kristian Clarke for company. Joe Walker will be the lone spinner in the playing XI for this match.  

Key players: Joe Carter, Colin De GrandHomme, Mathew Fisher

Northern Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Jeet Raval, Henry Cooper, (wk), Joe Carter, Katene Clarke, Colin De Grand Homme, Tim Seifert, Bharat Popli, Bret Randell, Neil Wagner, Mathew Fisher, Joe Walker

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Wellington will have humid climate on the match day with no chances of rain as per the weather forecasters. We expect dew come into effect during the match.

Venue Details

Basin Reserve is expected to have a slightly spicy track with some early movement owing to the grass on this pitch. Early moisture will help the bowlers during the start and we expect the average scores to be around 300-350 runs in the first innings.

Toss: To Bowl

Chasing will be the most preferred option as teams batting second has an excellent record here with 28-13 win-loss record in their favor. And the bowlers will look to use the early moisture content in the pitch.