WF vs NK Match Preview
The Northern Knights team is currently positioned in the second spot in the competition with 2 wins from 4 games and 1 loss. One of their games ended with no result. They have 11 points at the moment and are in the second spot behind Canterbury with a net run rate of +0.325. Wellington Firebirds outfit on the other hand is in 4th position in the points tally with 2 wins and 2 losses from their 4 games. They have 9 points to their kitty and have a net run rate of -0.679 at the moment. The points table is currently led by Canterbury with 15 points.
Jeet Raval has done a good job for the Northern Districts team in the recent past. In his last 16 appearances for the team in first-class matches, he has scored 620 runs with an average of 41.33. Jeet Raval is a southpaw while Bharat Popli is another right-handed batsman that has done a good job for NK with 571 runs from 12 innings with an average of 57.10. The all-rounder Henry Cooper is also among runs for Knights with 440 runs from 14 innings with an average of 31.42. The top wicket-taker for Northern Knights in this format is Joe Walker. He has picked up 18 wickets from 11 matches with an average of 27.11. Bret Randell is another bowler that has done a great job for his team with 17 wickets at an average of 17.17. Neil Wagner has been in great form with the ball lately and has picked up 16 wickets from 10 games at an average of 31.62.
Tom Blundell is the top batter for Wellington Firebirds. He is a right-handed batter who has scored 496 runs from his last 12 innings for Firebirds with an average of 45.09. Rachin Ravindra has also scored 490 runs for Firebirds from his last 15 appearances with an average of 35.00. Troy Johnson is another batter that has done well for Wellington Firebirds with 435 runs from the last 15 innings at an average of 33.46. Ian McPeake is a right-handed medium-fast bowler for Wellington Firebirds and has done a great job recently picking up 25 wickets in 12 outings with an average of 22.00. Michael Snedden has picked up 19 wickets from 11 matches with an average of 23.68. The all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has also picked up 14 scalps from 13 games albeit at a higher average of 44.21.
Weather Report
We are likely to get temperatures in the region of 22 degrees during the match according to the weather bureau. You can expect to get some nice conditions with some sun tomorrow. We are also going to get northwest winds in the region of 20 km/hr. There is a 50% chance of having a cloud cover during the match and there are no chances of any rains coming down during the game.
Pitch Report
This game is scheduled to be played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The surface at the venue is likely to be batting-friendly but it might offer a bit of assistance to the quick bowlers. All batters will find it easier to pile up runs if they can remain at the crease long enough. The speedsters are likely to get some lateral movement from the wicket if they can pitch the ball in the right areas.
Notable stats
Both teams have a near-identical recent record in their last 5 games.
Wellington Firebirds have lost 3 out of their last 5 matches and have won 2. Northern Knights have won 2 and lost 2 with 1 game ending in no result.
Wellington Firebirds leads the head-to-head between the two sides 2-1 in the last 5 encounters.
Wellington Firebirds is leading the head-to-head between the two sides 2-1 in the last 5 matches with a couple of games getting abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Team News
There aren’t any injury worries reported for this game from either of the team management.
WF vs NK Probable 11
WF Playing 11
- Tom Blundell (Wk)
- Rachin Ravindra
- Troy Johnson (C)
- Nick Kelly
- Tim Robinson
- Lauchie Johns
- Logan van Beek
- Peter Younghusband
- Ollie Newton
- Ben Sears
- Michael Snedden
NK Playing 11
- Tim Seifert (Wk)
- Katene Clarke
- Jeet Raval (C)
- Joe Carter
- Henry Cooper
- Brett Hampton
- Scott Kuggeleijn
- Tim Southee
- Neil Wagner
- Tim Pringle
- Frederick Walker
Dream11 Prediction
If you consider the current form of both these teams, you are certain to fancy the chances of Northern Knights in this game. Wellington team confidence will be on a lower ebb after being bowled out for less than 100 runs in their last match. Wellington will be keen to learn from their mistakes and bring their best game to this encounter. They are also playing at home which is always an advantage in any game. All-in-all Northern Knights have a lot of firepower in their batting arsenal and are more likely to derail any thoughts of recovery for Wellington in this competition. We will bet with Northern Knights to win this game.
Top Picks
Neil Wagner: Neil Wagner is bowling well for the Northern Knights at the moment. In his last 10 first-class appearances for Northern Knights, he has picked up 16 wickets at an average of 31.62. He is expected to bowl well again in this game.
Bharat Popli: Bharat Popli is a right-handed bat for Northern Knights and has performed well in recent games scoring 571 runs from 12 innings with an average of 57.10.
Tom Blundell: Tom Blundell is a right-handed batter for Wellington Firebirds and has put together 496 runs from 12 innings at an average of 45.09. He is one of the batters that is expected to come good in this game.
Rachin Ravindra: Rachin Ravindra has been an effective all-rounder for Wellington Firebirds. He has not only scored 490 runs in his last 15 appearances but has also picked up 14 wickets in his last 13 games.
WF vs NK Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: T. Seifert , T. Blundell
Batters: K. Williamson, J. Raval, B. Popli, F. Allen
All-rounders: L. van Beek (VC), R. Ravindra (C)
Bowlers: T. Southee, N. Wagner, O. Newton
