On January 14, 2022, the Northern Knights will lock horns with the Central Stags at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. This is the 22nd match of this year’s Super Smash competition. Northern Knights are currently placed firmly at the second position with 18 points from just six matches. The Stags are in a spot of bother with just 12 points from eight matches played. They are grappling at the fourth position.
This is the reverse fixture of the 17th match where the Knights dominated the Stags and they won by six wickets with 13 balls to deliver. Jeet Raval, skipper of the Knights showed his class in the chase as he was unbeaten on 66(46). 146 was never going to be enough for the Stags, considering their bowling attack which has been performing below their standards.
In their last couple of matches, Stags have crossed the 200-run barrier multiple times, but their bowling has let them down. Apart from Doug Bracewell, nobody seems to be getting it right in the bowling department. There is so little reason to talk about their batting mistakes and they've made just one change in the squad. Their main wicket-keeper batter Dane Cleaver is coming back in for Bayley Wiggins.
Northern Knights have lost only one game so far and are confident moving forward in the tournament. With Mitchell Santner coming into the squad they are looking more and more dangerous. They have a balanced team for this level of cricket with the likes of Tim Seifert and Jeet Raval in the batting end. Ish Sodhi and Scott Kuggeleijn are the main bowling weapons they have in their bank.
It will be interesting to see whether the Knights take the home advantage and continue to be in the top half of the table or the Stags come back from their previous losses and take revenge against their opponent.
Match Details
Northern Knights vs Central Stags- 22nd Match
Date and Time: January 14, 2022, 11:10 AM IST
Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Broadcast: Fan Code
Pitch Report
The Bay Oval pitch will offer the batters more compared to that to the bowlers. The bowlers will have a tough day ahead on a relatively flat surface. But if they bowl in the right areas they will get success. The average first innings total is around 160s. Teams chasing will have an advantage here. A Toss-winning captain usually likes to chase here.
Weather Conditions
According to forecasts, there will be no rain, and will be clear throughout the match.
Probable Playing XI
Northern Knights
Jeet Raval (c), Tim Seifert (wk), Joe Carter, Henry Cooper, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Brett Hampton, Scott Kuggeleijn, Ish Sodhi, Matthew Fisher, Anurag Verma.
Central Stags
Ben Smith, Ma’ara Ave, Tom Bruce (c), Mason Hughes, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (wk), Doug Bracewell, Seth Rance, Blair Tickner, Joey Field, Ajaz Patel.
CE Fantasy XI
Josh Clarkson, Ajaz Patel, Doug Bracewell, Seth Rance, Dane Cleaver, Mitchell Santner, Jeet Raval, Scott Kuggeleijn, Colin de Grandhomme
Captain- Tim Seifert
Vice-Captain- Tom Bruce