OV vs WF Match Preview
Wellington Firebirds have played 6 games so far in the Ford Trophy this year and have lost 4 out of them. They have won just a couple and as a result, they are stationed in 5th spot in the tally. They have 9 points and a net run rate of -0.800. The Otago Volts outfit is positioned one place above Wellington Firebirds in 4th spot with 2 wins and 2 losses. They have 12 points and a slightly better net run rate of -0.655. In the last year's version of the Ford Trophy, Otago Volts finished in 5th position with 4 wins and 3 losses. They finished way below Wellington Firebirds in the last year's points table. Wellington Firebirds finished the last year's group stage in the second spot. They played seven full games and won 4 of them while losing three of them. If you take a look at the head-to-head between the two sides, Wellington Firebirds has an edge. They have won 3 out of the last 5 games with Otago Volts. Last year these two teams met twice and Wellington Firebirds won both games.
Dale Phillips has been the leading batter for Otago Volts in the last 15 first-class games. He has scored 465 runs in the last 15 innings with an average of 33.21. Another southpaw that is doing a good job is Jacob Cummings who has scored 313 runs from 15 innings with an average of 24.07. The leading wicket-taker for Otago in the last year has been Jacob Tuffy. He is a right-handed fast-medium bowler and picked up 28 wickets from 13 matches last year. There is another bowler that is doing a good job at the moment. He is Michael Rippon who is a left-arm wrist spinner.
Tom Blundell is a right-handed batter for Wellington Firebirds. He is their leading run-getter in last year's games scoring 496 runs from 12 innings with an average of 45.09. The left-handed batter Rachin Ravindra has scored 490 runs in his last 15 innings with an average of 35.00. Ian McPeake is the leading wicket-taker for Wellington Firebirds with his right-arm medium-fast bowling. He has picked up 25 wickets with an average of 22.00. The right-arm fast bowler Michael Snedden has picked up 19 wickets at an average of 23.68.
Weather Report
The weather for this game is likely to remain ideal for cricket with a gentle breeze flowing across the ground.
Pitch Report
This game between Otago Volts and Wellington Firebirds will be hosted at the University Oval ground in Dunedin. The surface on offer at the Dunedin venue may offer help to the opening ball bowlers earlier on when the ball is new. All the batters will need to have the right technique and temperament for scoring big runs on this track.
Notable stats
Wellington Firebirds lead the head-to-head in the last 5 encounters.
Wellington Firebirds lead the head-to-head between the two sides 3-2 in their last 5 encounters.
Both these teams have a negative net run rate at the moment.
Wellington Firebirds has a net run rate of -0.800 while Otago Volts have a net run rate of -0.655 at the moment.
Team News
Many players are leaving their domestic teams for duties in the New Zealand national team, especially from the Wellington Firebirds side. That apart, there are no injury worries from either side.
OV vs WF Probable 11
OV Playing 11
- Hamish Rutherford (C)
- Llew Johnson
- Dean Foxcroft
- Dale Phillips
- Josh Finnie
- Michael Rippon
- Max Chu (Wk)
- Ben Lockrose
- Jacob Duffy
- Matthew Bacon
- Michael Rae
WF Playing 11
- Luke Georgeson
- Finn Allen
- Rachin Ravindra
- Troy Johnson (C)
- Nick Kelly
- Tim Robinson
- Callum McLachlan (Wk)
- Logan van Beek
- Ollie Newton
- Peter Younghusband
- Michael Snedden
Dream11 Prediction
If you look at the performance of these two sides in the competition so far, you will find that the hosts Otago Volts will fancy their chances of winning this game. They will be keen to win and move up in the points tally by beating the Wellington Firebirds. To make matters worse for them the Wellington Firebirds team is depleted by the absence of players such as Devon Conway, Tom Blundell, and Finn Allen. We will bet on Otago to win this match but it can turn out to be a closely fought affair.
Top Picks
Nick Kelly: Nick Kelly was playing for Otago Volts last year and was not doing a great job. But since shifting to Wellington Firebirds this year he is looking good with 210 runs from 6 matches with an average of 42.00.
Hamish Rutherford: Hamish Rutherford is an impactful opening batter and skipper for Otago Volts. He has a lot of experience and has top-scored for Otago this year so far.
Jacob Duffy: Jacob Tuffy is the leading bowler for Otago Volts. During last year, he picked up 28 scalps from 13 matches at an average of 29.89.
Michael Rippon: This left-arm wrist spinner has picked up 24 wickets through the last year, in first-class games at an average of 30.62. You can bet on him to deliver the goods again.
OV vs WF Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: M. Chu
Batters: H. Rutherford, F. Allen (C), D. Phillips, N. Kelly
All-rounders: M. Rippon (VC), G. Phillips, R. Ravindra
Bowlers: J. Duffy, I. McPeake, M. Snedden
