Auckland Aces will face Central Stags on January 22, 2022, at the Eden Park in Auckland. This will be the 28th match in the ongoing Super Smash tournament. Auckland have one last hope of qualifying for the playoffs but that too is not in their hands. They have to first win this one with a good margin and then pray for Wellington to lose against Northern Knights. Central Stags, on the other hand, have no chance of qualifying and will play for their pride.
Currently, the Aces are in the fourth spot with 16 points from nine games while the Stags are in fifth place with 12 points from nine matches.
Auckland won the reverse fixture which was played on December 27, 2021. Then it was Martin Guptill’s lionhearted effort of unbeaten 79 and Lockie Ferguson’s penultimate ball six over square leg, which sealed the deal in favor of Aces.
Coming into this clash, Auckland doesn't have perfect balance in their game as they are winning and losing games alternatively. The international opener, Guptill will be back for this all-important match and it will be a relief for the team management. Ben Horne has been rested, while Glenn Phillips will have the glove duty.
Meanwhile, the Stags have lost five matches on a trot, but they can put everything behind this for one last time as they have nothing to lose. Will Young and Adam Milne are back in the squad for their last game of the season.
All in all, it will be fascinating to see whether Auckland push hard for a big victory to live the play-off dream or will the Stags end their season on a winning note?
Match Details
Auckland Aces vs Central Stags - 28th Match
Date and Time: January 22, 2022, 6:10 AM IST
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Broadcast: Fan Code
Pitch Report
The Eden Park will host for one last time in the ongoing Super Smash tournament. The Pitch will have something in it for the seamers early on and as the game progresses the batters will enjoy batting on it. Chasing is ideally suitable for any team here. So winning the toss and putting the opposition in first should be the goal. The average score batting first is around 160.
Weather Conditions
According to forecasts, there will be no rain and it will be sunny throughout the match.
Probable Playing XI
Auckland Aces
Martin Guptill, George Worker, William O’Donnell, Mark Chapman, Robert O’Donnell (c), Glenn Phillips (wk), Sean Solia, Aditya Ashok, William Somerville, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Lister.
Central Stags
Will Young, Tom Bruce (c), Dane Cleaver (wk), Ben Smith, Josh Clarkson, Doug Bracewell, Seth Rance, Adam Milne, Jayden Lennox, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner.
CE Fantasy XI
Will Young, Seth Rance, Doug Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, Mark Chapman, George Worker, Glenn Phillips, Aditya Ashok, Josh Clarkson
Captain- Tom Bruce
Vice-Captain- Martin Guptill