Who will win Auckland vs Central Stags, Super Smash 2020?
Auckland Aces are seeking a second win against defending champions Central Stags as they look to move into the top three in the 2019-20 Super Smash table. The match takes place at the Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland, on January 4 and the live action starts at 16:10 local time.
The Aces beat the Stags when they last met and go into this game after successfully chasing 195 to beat Canterbury Kings on New Year’s Day. Martin Guptill hit 83* from 52 balls as they recorded their second win of the tournament.
Central Stags, meanwhile, got back to winning ways last time out as they chased 185 to beat Otago Volts. The defending champions now have three wins to their name and sit two points ahead of the Aces in the table.
AUK vs CS, Super Smash 2020: Where to watch/Live streaming
Live TV: Sky Sport NZ, Radio Sport, Star Sports
Live streaming: Sky Go, Hotstar
AUK vs CS Toss Prediction
Auckland Aces are due to lose the toss, having had a run of good fortune. Central Stags may look to set a target if they win the toss this time.
AUK vs CS Weather Report
Strong winds should blow away any cloud cover by the time this game starts. There is zero chance of rain but the wind may be a factor for the bowlers to contend with.
AUK vs CS Pitch Condition
Scores at Eden Park’s Outer Oval have generally been high and this match is unlikely to be any different.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds and match prediction for Auckland vs Central Stags, Super Smash 2020...
Auckland Aces Team News & Playing 11
AUK Team News
Glenn Phillips’ New Zealand call-up means there will be a change behind the stumps for Auckland Aces. The wicket-keeper-batsman will be replaced by Ben Horne. Louis Delport has been replaced in the squad by Robert O’Donnell, meanwhile.
AUK Key Players
Martin Guptill: The big-hitting opener has hit top form with scores of 43, 42 and 83* in his last three matches. He hit six fours and five sixes in his 52-ball unbeaten innings last time out.
Colin Munro: Another to get back to his big-hitting best last time out, having come into the Super Smash on the back of some big one-day innings for Auckland. If he and Guptill fire, Auckland could post a big score.
Mitchell McClenaghan: The left-arm paceman was expensive last time out, but he is in high demand on the T20 circuit for a reason, and his five wickets so far highlight why.
AUK Team Form
Auckland Aces have got back on track with two wins in their last three games – both built on big batting performances. Mark Chapman top-scored with 63* from 29 balls as they posted 210/4 when they last met the Stags, before they claimed a two-run win. A below-par 133/9 against Wellington Firebirds led to a seven-wicket loss, but they were back to their best last time out as Martin Guptill (83*) led a chase of 195 to beat Canterbury Kings by seven wickets.
Auckland Aces Predicted Playing 11
Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Mark Chapman, Corey Anderson, Ben Horne (wk), Craig Cachopa (c), Robert O’Donnell, Sean Solia, Ronnie Hira, Benjamin Lister, Mitchell McClenaghan
CS Team News
Seth Rance paid the price for his expensive bowling when these teams last met, when he was replaced by Ben Wheeler for the win against Canterbury Kings last time out. Wheeler claimed 2-35
CS Key Players
Tom Bruce: The big-hitting captain scored his second half-century of this year’s tournament when he hit 67 in the last meeting between these sides. He now has 241 runs in seven innings.
Kieran Noema-Barnett: The all-rounder has taken ten wickets so far with his medium-pace bowling, while he has starred with the bat of late too – hitting half-centuries in two of his last three innings.
George Worker: The left-handed opener scored the 15th T20 half-century of his career when these teams last met, hitting 62 at the top of the order. He now has 209 runs in this year’s tournament.
CS Team Form
Central Stags bounced back from three consecutive defeats when they beat Canterbury Kings last time out. Defeats to Canterbury, Wellington Firebirds and Auckland Aces – when they fell just two runs short in reply to 210/4 at New Plymouth – had derailed the defending champions after a good start.
But Kieran Noema-Barnett’s half-century helped lead the chase of 185 to beat Otago Volts last time out – the Stags getting home with five wickets and one over to spare.
George Worker, Dane Cleaver (wk), Christian Leopard, Tom Bruce (c), Kieran Noema-Barnett, Josh Clarkson, Willem Ludick, Ben Wheeler, Ryan Watson, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner
Auckland Aces vs Central Stags Head to Head
Auckland Aces’ high-scoring win when these teams last met was their 16th against Central Stags, whereas the Stags have won ten. In fact, the Stags have only won one of their last four meetings but that was the preliminary final last year when Will Young (83) and Dane Cleaver (77*) helped them to 219/4 and they restricted Auckland to 175/5 in reply. In this year’s meeting, Mark Chapman top-scored for the Aces with 63* from 29 balls in a total of 210/4. Both George Worker (62) and Tom Bruce (67) kept Central Stags in contention, but they fell just two runs short despite Willem Ludick hitting three sixes and a four off Colin Munro’s final over. The final ball, which went for the four, meant the Stags finished 208/7.
AUK vs CS Head to Head Stats
Matches Played |
AUK Won |
CS Won |
Tie |
No Result |
28 |
16 |
10 |
0 |
2 |
Auckland Aces vs Central Stags Betting Odds
Auckland Aces beat Central Stags when they last met and they are favourites to win again in this match.
AUK Bet365 Odds
- AUK to Win the Match: Auckland Aces are 1.72 favourites to beat Central Stags with Bet365.
- AUK Top Batsman: Martin Guptill was in fine form for the Aces last time out and he is 3.00 to be their top team batsman with Bet365. Colin Munro is 3.60 alongside him at the top of the order, while Mark Chapman – who top-scored for Auckland when these teams last met – is 7.00.
- AUK Top Bowler: Mitchell McClenaghan leads the Aces’ pace attack and is 4.00 to be their top bowler, while Benjamin Lister – who took two wickets when these teams last met – is 4.50. Ronnie Hira can be backed at 5.00.
CS Bet365 Odds
- CS to Win the Match: Central Stags are 2.10 outsiders to win with Bet365.
- CS Top Batsman: George Worker hit a half-century when these teams last met and he is 4.00 favourite to be the Stags’ top batsman with Bet365, just ahead of in-form Tom Bruce (4.33) and Dane Cleaver (4.50). Kieran Noema-Barnett has also found some good form and he is 7.00 in the middle order.
- CS Top Bowler: Noema-Barnett is 4.50 to be the Stags’ top team bowler, meanwhile. Ajaz Patel is 4.00 favourite with Bet365, while Ben Wheeler is 4.33 and Blair Tickner can be backed at 4.50.
Central Stags got back to winning ways last time out, but so did Auckland Aces and if Martin Guptill continues to fire the hosts could be in the runs once more.
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