Match Details
The 1st match of the Super Smash 2020-21 will be played between Wellington Firebirds and Auckland Aces at Basin Reserve in Wellington.
This match will start at 6:10 AM IST (1:40 PM local time). This tournament will be streamed live on Fancode.
Preview
Super Smash, New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition is set to commence on December 24 with a match between the finalists of the last season. Wellington Firebirds, the defending champions, will face the Auckland Aces in the opening game of the tournament. The league stage of the six-team Super Smash will go on until till February 7 after which the second and third placed team will feature in elimination final and the top team will directly qualify for the final.
As far as Wellington and Auckland are concerned, the two teams faced each other thrice last season including the final. Both the sides won a game each before Wellington ending up winning the trophy beating them in the final. Auckland Aces will be keen on starting the tournament well and go all the way this time around.
WF vs AA Weather Report for Super Smash 2020-21 Match 1:
There are chances rain coming down heavily in morning. It will be cloudy throughout the day but after 2 PM local time, there is only 3% chance of rain. The temperature is expected to hover around 19-20 Degrees Celsius.
Pitch Report
The pitch at the Basin Reserve is known to be a good one for batsmen. Last season, the venue hosted six matches and the team batting first scored more than 180 in first three games. Chasing is not suited at this wicket if Super Smash 2019-20 stats are concerned.
Average first innings score:
172 (Six matches played at the venue in Super Smash 2019-20)
Record of Chasing Teams:
Won – 1; Lost – 5
Injury & Availability News
(Will be added when there is an update)
WF vs AA Today’s Probable Playing XIs:
Wellington Firebirds
Fraser Colson, Troy Johnson, Michael Bracewell (C), Rachin Ravindra, Jamie Gibson, Logan van Beek, Lauchie Johns/Finn Allen (WK), Hamish Bennett, Ian McPeake, Michael Snedden, Peter Younghusband.
Bench
Lauchie Johns/Finn Allen
Auckland Aces
Robert O Donnell (C), Sean Solia, Graeme Beghin, Ben Horne (WK), Ryan Harrison, William O Donnell, Bradley Rodden/Danru Ferns, Ben Lister, Olly Pringle, William Somerville, Ross ter Braak,
Bench
Bradley Rodden/Danru Ferns
WF vs AA Top Picks for Today’s Dream11 Match:
Rachin Ravindra is one of the best options to pick from the available players of both sides. In last season, he played 11 matches scoring 186 runs at a strike-rate of 144.18. He also picked eight wickets after delivering 36 overs.
Hamish Bennett is a brilliant fast bowler and he can trouble oppositions with his pace. He picked 17 wickets last season in 11 matches at a brilliant strike-rate of 10.8.
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Sean Solia is a very good all-rounder. He didn’t have a great Super Smash last season as he scored only 50 runs in three innings at an SR of 131.57. With the ball, Solia picked up four wickets in six innings but was expensive.
Michael Bracewell scored 149 runs in nine innings last season at a not so impressive strike-rate of 103.47. He also picked five wickets while being economical with the ball.
Ben Lister is one of the better T20 bowlers in New Zealand with 21 wickets to his name in 19 outings. His economy of 8.27 is also better given that he bowls all the difficult overs.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection
Captain Options: Rachin Ravindra, Sean Solia
Vice-Captain Options: Michael Bracewell, Hamish Bennett
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for WF vs AA Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Ben Horne
Batsmen – Fraser Colson, Michael Bracewell (VC), Robert O’Donnell
All-Rounders – Rachin Ravindra (C), Sean Solia, Jamie Gibson
Bowlers – Logan van Beek, Hamish Bennett, Ben Lister, William Somerville
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for WF vs AA Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Ben Horne
Batsmen – Fraser Colson, Troy Johnson, Michael Bracewell, Robert O’Donnell
All-Rounders – Rachin Ravindra, Sean Solia (C)
Bowlers – Hamish Bennett (VC), Peter Younghusband, Logan van Beek, Ross ter Braak
Expert Advice
None of Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham are playing this match. But they have been picked by maximum users in Dream11 Fantasy.
Most of the players in the announced 12-man squads are new in T20 Cricket. So it is better to make the likes of Ravindra, Bennett or Solia C or VC of your Fantasy teams.
Today’s WF vs AA Probable Winners
Wellington Firebirds are expected to win this match.
