NK vs OV Match Preview
The top-order batsmen of the Northern Braves are in good form though, as Katene Clarke, Tim Seifert, and Jeet Raval have all played a couple of good innings. The middle order however has been a bit subdued in its performances so far and that has been one of the key reasons for the lack of consistent performances from the Braves.
The team made a couple of changes in the last match, bringing in all-rounder Frederick Walker and Peter Bocock in place of Mitchell Santner and Scott Kuggeleijn. Both the players did show some flashes of brilliance but only time will tell how they perform going forward.
Otago's recent success has been powered by some excellent all-round performances by Dean Foxcroft, who is back in New Zealand after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Foxcroft has scored 2 half-centuries in 4 innings this season and has an average of 49.50.
He is also the leading wicket-taker for the Volts, picking up 9 wickets so far, including a fifer. However, the batsmen around him haven’t been in the best of forms, with Hamish Rutherford, Josh Finnie, and Jake Gibson all failing to get a big inning. Llew Johnson played an excellent cameo of 46 from just 27 deliveries and more will be expected of him going forward.
This will also probably be Jacob Duffy’s last outing in the league before he departs for India to join the New Zealand ODI squad.
Weather Report
There is a very high probability of rain in Hamilton on Friday and we might see some delays or even a washout. The skies are expected to remain heavily overcast and the temperature will rarely cross the 20-degree mark.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Seddon Park is quick with plenty of bounce and is good to bat on. The fast bowlers will also enjoy bowling here as they can get some movement off the seam. The spinners however are likely to struggle. The average first-inning score here in Super Smash is around 165.
Notable stats
Michael Rippon’s All-Round Stats
Rippon, while not in the best of forms this season, is a decent all-rounder for the Volts. In 90 matches, he has scored 768 runs at an average of 22.58 and has also picked up 78 wickets.
Team News
With no injuries to report from either squad, we expect an unchanged playing eleven from both sides.
NK vs OV Probable 11
NK Playing 11
- Katene Clarke
- Tim Seifert (Wk)
- Jeet Raval (C)
- Henry Cooper
- Brett Hampton
- Peter Bocock
- Zak Gibson
- Frederick Walker
- Tim Pringle
- Kristian Clarke
- Joe Walker
OV Playing 11
- Hamish Rutherford (C)
- Dale Phillips
- Dean Foxcroft
- Josh Finnie
- Thorn Parkes (Wk)
- Llew Johnson
- Jake Gibson
- Jacob Duffy
- Michael Rae
- Ben Lockrose
- Matthew Bacon
Dream11 Prediction
We are backing the Northern Braves to win this one. The Otago Volts have failed to perform well as a team and much of their success is dependent on just a couple of individual performances, particularly that of Dean Foxcroft. The others have failed to make a noticeable impact and are likely to struggle against quality opposition like the Braves.
The fact that the Braves defeated the Volts quite easily earlier this season will also boost the former's confidence.
Top Picks
Dean Foxcroft: Ever since his return to the Otago side, Dean Foxcroft has performed consistently well across formats. This season he has picked up 9 wickets and has also scored 198 runs, which makes him an easy pick.
Katene Clarke: Katene Clarke has been a solid performer for the Braves at the top of the order. In 4 matches, he has scored 122 runs at an average of 30.50.
Michael Rae: Rae has picked up 7 wickets so far and is second highest on the list of top wicket-takers this season. His bowling strike rate is excellent too, at 6.7.
NK vs OV Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: T Seifert (VC)
Batters: H Rutherford, J Raval, K Clarke
All-rounders: M Rippon, B Hampton, D Foxtrot (C), K Clark
Bowlers: M Rae, M Bacon, T Pringle
