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The 2024-25 Super Smash has entered its critical league phase, with every team vying for vital points to secure a spot in the top positions. The Auckland Aces, who are brimming with confidence after back-to-back victories, find themselves within striking distance of a top-three finish. On the other hand, the Wellington Firebirds are languishing at the bottom of the table and are officially out of the playoff race. Despite their position, Wellington will look to salvage pride and play the role of a disruptor in this contest.
With Auckland looking to consolidate their position in the standings and Wellington aiming to finish strong, this match at Eden Park promises to be an exciting clash.
Match Details
| Match | Auckland Aces vs. Wellington Firebirds (Super Smash 2024-25) |
|---|---|
| Date | January 26, 2025 |
| Time | 11:00 AM (Local) / 3:30 AM (IST) |
| Venue | Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland |
| Broadcast | Spark Sport, FanCode |
Team Previews
Auckland Aces Preview
The Auckland Aces are in excellent form, riding high on the momentum of two consecutive victories. In their last match, they showcased their batting strength by amassing 197/6, led by a stellar knock of 68 runs from Mark Chapman. Contributions from Bevon Jacobs (37) and Sean Solia (24) added stability, while quick lower-order cameos propelled their total to a formidable score.
The bowling unit has been equally impressive. In their previous outing, they skittled the opposition for 128, with Aditya Ashok delivering a match-winning spell of 3/22. The support cast, including Danru Ferns, Simon Keene, and Jock McKenzie, has been instrumental in maintaining the team’s dominance.
With their batting and bowling units firing in tandem, Auckland look like strong contenders to break into the top three.
Key Players: Mark Chapman, Bevon Jacobs, Aditya Ashok
Predicted Playing XI:
Mark Chapman, Bevon Jacobs, Sean Solia, Aditya Ashok, Danru Ferns, Simon Keene, Angus Oliver, Jock McKenzie, William O Donnell, Lachlan Stockpole
Wellington Firebirds Preview
The Wellington Firebirds have had a forgettable season and are out of playoff contention. However, they showed glimpses of brilliance in their last game, where they posted 167 runs, thanks to a solid 52-run knock by Jesse Tashkoff and a quickfire 34 from Nick Kelly. Tom Blundell and Michael Bracewell provided late acceleration, but the batting lineup has struggled for consistency throughout the season.
Their bowling attack, led by Michael Bracewell, delivered a dominant performance, bundling out the opposition for 136. Bracewell was the star with figures of 4/31, while Peter Younghusband and Ben Sears chipped in with crucial wickets.
Despite their lack of form, Wellington will look to end their campaign on a high note by playing the role of spoilers in this match.
Key Players: Michael Bracewell, Jesse Tashkoff, Peter Younghusband
Predicted Playing XI:
Jesse Tashkoff, Nick Kelly, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Ben Sears, Gareth Severin, Muhammed Abbas, Logan Van Beek, Michel Sneddon, Peter Younghusband
Fantasy Team XI
| Player | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Chapman (C) | Auckland Aces | Batter |
| Michael Bracewell (VC) | Wellington Firebirds | All-rounder |
| Bevon Jacobs | Auckland Aces | Batter |
| Jesse Tashkoff | Wellington Firebirds | Batter |
| Sean Solia | Auckland Aces | All-rounder |
| Aditya Ashok | Auckland Aces | Bowler |
| Peter Younghusband | Wellington Firebirds | Bowler |
| Danru Ferns | Auckland Aces | Bowler |
| Ben Sears | Wellington Firebirds | Bowler |
| Jock McKenzie | Auckland Aces | All-rounder |
| Nick Kelly | Wellington Firebirds | Batter |
Pitch Report
The Eden Park Outer Oval pitch has been a high-scoring venue this season, offering consistent bounce and true carry. While the batters have enjoyed their time on this surface, the bowlers have found some assistance with the new ball and in the middle overs.
- Average 1st Innings Score: 170-180
- Bowling Advantage: Seamers and spinners with variations.
- Toss Prediction: Teams batting first have had success here, so the skipper winning the toss might opt to set a target.
Weather Conditions
Bright and sunny conditions are expected in Auckland on match day, with temperatures ranging between 14°C and 21°C. No interruptions due to rain are forecasted, making it a perfect day for cricket.
Winning Prediction
The Auckland Aces are in red-hot form, with their batting unit firing on all cylinders and their bowling attack delivering crucial breakthroughs. The Wellington Firebirds, though determined to end their season positively, lack the consistency required to match Auckland’s momentum.
Predicted Winner: Auckland Aces to continue their winning streak
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