On the last day of 2021, Central Stags lock horns with Canterbury Kings at the Pukekura Park in New Plymouth. The Stags are playing back-to-back matches here. Currently, the Stags are in third place with three wins from six matches and the Kings are in the second position with the same number of wins but they have a better net run rate compared to that of the Stags from five games.
In their previous matches, the Stags lost to the Knights by six wickets on December 30, 2021, while the Kings won their previous match against the grappling Otago by thirty-six runs on December 26, 2021, at the Hagley Oval.
Canterbury's top order is in great nick recently and it will be icing on the cake if their middle-order supports them well. They will lose the services of Henry Nicholls and Matt Henry from this match as they have joined the Kiwis squad for the upcoming Test series against the visiting Bangladesh side. It will be a good opportunity for any batter who will replace Nicholls and it is likely to be Mitchell Hay.
Even though the Stags lost their previous match due to poor batting, they will give the players another chance against the Kings. Apart from Dane Cleaver and Doug Bracewell, no one has really fared well and it is an excellent opportunity for others to demonstrate what they are capable of doing for the team. Other key players for the Stags are Seth Rance, Tom Bruce, and Ajaz Patel. For this game, Adam Milne has been rested.
With both the teams eyeing victory it should be an enthralling contest between bat and ball on Friday. Will the Stags overcome the loss against the Knights or can the Kings continue their dominance?
Match Details:
Central Stags vs Canterbury Kings- 18th Match
Date and Time: December 31, 2021, 7:10 AM IST
Venue: Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
Broadcast: Fan Code
Pitch Report:
It is the second consecutive match played in two days here in Pukekura Park. So it should slow down as the match progresses. The average first innings total usually is around 170 but in the previous match, it was just 145.
Weather Conditions:
According to the forecast, there will be no rain and will remain clear throughout the match.
Probable XI:
Central Stags
Bayley Wiggins, Greg Hay, Dane Cleaver (wk), Tom Bruce (c), Josh Clarkson, Christian Leopard, Doug Bracewell, Seth Rance, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner, Joey Field.
Canterbury Kings
Chad Bowes, Ken McClure, Cole McConchie (c), Mitchell Hay, Cam Fletcher (wk), Henry Shipley, Blake Coburn, Leo Carter, Todd Astle, Ed Nuttall, Will Williams.
CE Fantasy XI:
Dane Cleaver, Doug Bracewell, Seth Rance, Chad Bowes, Cole McConchie, Cam Fletcher, Josh Clarkson, Todd Astle, Ed Nuttall
Captain- Tom Bruce
Vice-Captain- Mitchell Hay