Central Stags vs Auckland Aces, SST20, Today Match Prediction 29 December 2023

CD vs AUCK Match Prediction & Analysis

Central Stags will now lock horns with Auckland Aces in the 8th Super Smash game to be played at the Pukekura Park in New Plymouth. Though the Stags have finally added points to their tally with their recent win against Northern Knights, there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Their batting is still a big concern. There were a few good performances in the middle order but the real impact was made by Doug Bracewell whose 33-ball 93 runs knock led Central Stags to a match-winning score.

Auckland Aces got off to a winning start defeating Canterbury by 27 runs at the Outer Park Oval in Auckland. Their second game was washed out due to rain without any gameplay.

There will be no Finn Allen and James Neesham in the Auckland side for this game as they the Blackcaps for the Bangladesh T20I series. However, skipper Robert O Donnell doesn’t look too dependent on them.

In addition to himself, the skipper also has Martin Guptill, Sean Solia, and Cam Fletcher who are reliable and experienced batters. 

RECENT PERFORMANCE

CD

W L L W W

CD

206/5 in 20.0 10.3

SST20

Central Stags beat Northern Districts by 56 runs 27 Dec 2023

ND

150/10 in 19.2 7.76

ND

196/9 in 20.0 9.8

SST20

Northern Districts beat Central Stags by 55 runs 22 Dec 2023

CD

141/10 in 19.5 7.11

ND

189/6 in 42.1 4.48

FT

Northern Districts beat Central Stags by 4 wickets 12 Dec 2023

CD

185/10 in 49.4 3.72

CD

236/9 in 50.0 4.72

FT

Central Stags beat Otago Volts by 82 runs 07 Dec 2023

OV

154/10 in 40.0 3.85

CD

271/6 in 48.2 5.61

FT

Central Stags won by 4 wickets 29 Nov 2023

CANT

278/10 in 46.4 5.96

AUCK

W W W W W

AUCK

185/5 in 20.0 9.25

SST20

Auckland Aces beat Canterbury Kings by 27 runs 19 Dec 2023

CANT

158/10 in 17.5 8.86

AUCK

295/3 in 38.3 7.66

FT

Auckland Aces beat Wellington Firebirds by 10 runs (D/L) method 13 Dec 2023

WELL

266/5 in 35.0 7.6

ND

253/10 in 46.1 5.48

FT

Auckland Aces beat Northern Districts by 54 runs 07 Dec 2023

AUCK

307/5 in 50.0 6.14

CANT

250/7 in 50.0 5

FT

Auckland Aces beat Canterbury Kings by 5 wickets 03 Dec 2023

AUCK

251/5 in 49.0 5.12

AUCK

274/3 in 46.3 5.89

FT

Auckland Aces won by 7 wickets 29 Nov 2023

OV

268/7 in 50.0 5.36

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Central Stags Preview

Central Stags bounced back in a crucial game against Northern Knights. The latter was also missing a few key players since they were playing for NZ in the 1st T20I against Bangladesh.

Doug Bracewell was the only one who made most of the absence of Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner from the Knights’ bowling attack. His unbeaten 93-run knock put Central Stags far ahead in the contest and also shifted the momentum in their favor.

Nevertheless, others have struggled big time and even though the skipper completely changed the opening duo, it didn’t make much of an impact. Will Young and Tom Bruce opened the innings for Central Stags.

Young is a promising batsman and will be one to watch out for at the top. And in the middle-order, it is Dane Cleaver who holds the key to a recovery after early losses.

The batting lineup is deep with all-rounders like Josh Clarkson and Doug Bracewell but it is the top 3 who need to find their rhythm and get back in form soon.

That was a special inning from Bracewell and not something that can happen more often. The bowlers also showed an improved performance. And Central Stags should be confident coming to Plymouth with Jayden Lennox, Tom Bruce, and Blair Tickner leading from the front in a varied bowling attack.

Central Stags Predicted Playing XI:

Tom Bruce (c), Will Young, Dane Cleaver (wk), William Clark, Josh Clarkson, Doug Bracewell, Bevan Small, Joey Field, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner, Jayden Lennox

Auckland Aces Preview

Auckland Aces missed out on their second game of the season which was against Wellington at the Basin Reserve. The Aces would have surely liked to have played even if it meant a rain-reduced game.

Now it is almost a 10-day break since their win in the opening match against Canterbury. Their opposition is coming into this match on the back of a win in their recent outing and will carry the momentum.

Robert O'Donnell who scored an unbeaten fifty in the last game taking the Aces to a competitive total, needs to figure out a new opening pair. Moreover, George Worker is the most likely candidate to replace Jimmy Neesham as an all-rounder.

Martin Guptill looked in great touch though he missed his half-century by a run in the last game. He will be crucial for Auckland Aces with all of his international experience.

He will need the of Sean Solia and Robert O'Donnell in the middle-order. These three hold the key to success with the bat and the likes of Cam Fletcher and George Worker are also crucial lower down the order.

Ben Lister and Danru Ferns are off to a good start with the ball and will be the ones to watch out for in of impactful bowlers. They’ve got two left-arm orthodox bowlers in Louis Delport and Nikith Perera. 

And though both were quite expensive in the last outing, Aces are likely to stick with them for this match.

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

Martin Guptill, Finn Allen, Sean Solia, Robert ODonnell (c), James Neesham, Cam Fletcher (wk), Ryan Harrison, Danru Ferns, Louis Delport, Nikith Perera, Ben Lister

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It looks like a great batting wicket considering the previous matches played on this ground. The ball will come onto the bat nicely and the batters can time the ball with perfection. Wind and rain are expected on the match day in New Plymouth. This could be a rain-affected game and if the weather stays the same all day, we might not even get a game.

CD vs AUCK Pitch Report

Pukekura Park in New Plymouth will be the venue for this clash between Central Stags and Auckland Aces. It is a high-scoring ground where the average 1st innings score is 184 runs. A match-winning score should be something over 210-220 runs at this venue. 

Toss: To Bowl

Teams bowling first have won 13 of the 10 domestic T20s played at this venue. It is a very high-scoring venue and chasing should be on the minds of both skippers at the toss.