WF vs CK Match Preview
The Wellington Firebirds team won their first match convincingly against Otago Volts at the Basin Reserve. Since then, they have struggled on their home ground and lost their last few matches. Firebirds' were bowled out for a score of 102 runs in their previous game against Northern Districts. The return of Rachin Ravindra did not impact the fortunes of the Wellington Firebirds. Ravindra replaced Nathan Smith near the top order for Wellington. None of their top five run-getters in this game could reach even double figures.
Rachin Ravindra will need to step up to return to winning ways. Mohammad Abbas, Nick Kelly, and Ravindra must provide impetus to the Wellington inning with a substantial contribution. Nathan Smith will lead the bowling attack for Wellington. He has been in good shape and will be the bowler to watch out for. Other significant bowlers in the team are Peter Younghusband and Logan van Beek. These bowlers can get Wellington the desired breakthroughs in this game.
The Canterbury Kings will be confident about their prospects in this contest. It is a must-win game for them. The top wicket-takers for Canterbury are William O'Rourke and Zakary Foulkes. In their last match, Angus McKenzie did well against the Wellington Firebirds, and he is another player to watch out for. The batting form displayed by their top three players has allowed the Canterbury Kings to stay on top of their game. These top three are Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, and Chad Bowes. All these batters are match-winners.
Canterbury has some good batters in their middle order as well. But Cole McConchie has not been in good touch and is struggling in the number four slot. But other than him, the middle order has made some valuable contributions. These include Mitchell Hay and Bevon Jacobs. These are also the finishers in the line-up. Canterbury is a solid overall team, and on their day, they can quite surprise the more fancied Wellington Firebirds. They have also scored over 200 runs in their last three outings in the competition.
Weather Report
We are likely to get misty conditions during this game. The temperatures during the game will hover between 18 and 22 degrees. There will be moderate winds during the contest, and there is no chance of getting showers that can lead to interrupted play.
Pitch Report
The Basin Reserve is one of the oldest cricket stadiums in New Zealand. It has a seating capacity of nearly 12,000 people. The wicket on offer here appears green and looks like it is a part of the remainder of the field. The wicket will help the fast bowlers and gradually settle into being a batting-friendly track.
Notable stats
Henry Nicholls has a terrific strike rate to average ratio with the bat in recent matches.
Nicholls is scoring his runs with an average of 44.4 and a strike rate of 147.01 in his last ten games.
Logan van Beek has had an excellent strike rate in recent games.
Logan van Beek has picked up 16 wickets from his last ten matches with an average of 14.06.
Team News
There are no injury updates available for this game. So, the entire outfit will be ready for selection on the matchday.
WF vs CK Probable 11
WF Playing 11
- Rachin Ravindra
- Nick Greenwood
- Nick Kelly (C)
- Muhammad Abbas
- Michael Bracewell
- Jesse Tashkoff
- Callum McLachlan (Wk)
- Nathan Smith
- Logan van Beek
- Peter Younghusband
- Ian McPeake
CK Playing 11
- Chad Bowes
- Tom Latham
- Henry Nicholls
- Cole McConchie (C)
- Mitchell Hay (Wk)
- Michael Rippon
- Bevon Jacobs
- Zakary Foulkes
- Angus McKenzie
- Michael Rae
- William ORourke
Dream11 Prediction
Although the Wellington Firebirds lost their last contest badly to the lowly-ranked Northern Districts team, you can expect them to start this game as favorites. The Canterbury team is ranked two places below them in the points table. Wellington is also playing at home and will receive crowd support as well. We will bet with Wellington Firebirds to win this encounter.
Top Picks
Tim Robinson: Robinson is in the form of his life. He has scored 309 runs in his last seven games with an average of 51.5 and a strike rate of 181.76.
Logan van Beek: Van Beek has picked up 16 scalps from his last ten matches with a strike rate 14.06.
Henry Nicholls: Henry Nicholls has scored 222 runs from his last eight contests with a strike rate of 147.01 and an average of 44.4.
William O'Rourke: This bowler was in good touch in his last eight games, picking up ten wickets. He bowled well for Canterbury in the previous game as well.
WF vs CK Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: T Latham
Batters: C Bowes, H Nicholls, N Kelly
All-rounders: M Rippon, M Bracewell, L van Beek (VC), C McConchie, N Smith (C)
Bowlers: M Rae, W O'Rourke
