![Wellington and Central will lock horns for their second encounter on January 9 [Source: @SuperSmashNZ/x.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1736321011833_Super_Smash.jpg?type=mq)
Wellington and Central will lock horns for their second encounter on January 9 [Source: @SuperSmashNZ/x.com]
The Basin Reserve, Wellington is set to host a thrilling encounter as Wellington will cross swords with Central in Match 10 of the Super Smash 2024-25 on Thursday, January 9. The match promises to be a tightly held contest as Central will be willing to avenge their first loss against Wellington and the latter will try to dominate the Stags again in their second matchup.
Wellington
The Wellington Firebirds have had a mixed start to their Super Smash 2024-25 campaign, securing one win and enduring one loss in their two matches so far. Currently placed fifth on the points table with 4 points and a net run rate of -0.250, the Firebirds will be looking to build consistency as the tournament progresses.
In their opening match, the Firebirds suffered a defeat against Northern Brave, who chased down their target with ease. However, Wellington bounced back with a strong performance in their next game, defeating Central Stags by 11 runs in a tightly contested encounter and will be favourites to seal the deal in the next encounter too.
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Central
The Central Stags have showcased a solid start in the Super Smash 2024-25 season, with two wins out of three matches, placing them second on the points table with 8 points and an impressive net run rate of +1.126. Their form has been marked by dominant performances, although consistency will be key as the tournament unfolds.
The Stags began their campaign with a commanding 7-wicket victory over Otago Volts, chasing down a competitive target with ease. They followed this with a narrow 11-run loss to Wellington Firebirds but bounced back strongly to secure a resounding 64-run win against Northern Brave in their latest outing. With Central wounded against Wellington, they will try to avenge their loss in the upcoming clash.
WF vs CS Head-To-Head Record
| Matches Played | Wellington Won | Central Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 20 | 14 | 0 |
How Will The Basin Reserve Pitch Behave?
The Basin Reserve in Wellington is known for its green, seaming wickets. Fast bowlers often find early movement and bounce, making life difficult for batters initially. However, the pitch tends to settle down as the match progresses, offering more favourable conditions for batting. Spinners are likely to have a limited impact.
Given the history, teams winning the toss may opt to bat first under sunny conditions to capitalize on the improved batting conditions later in the game. However, overcast conditions might tempt captains to bowl first and exploit the early movement.
Players To Watch Out For In WF vs CS
Wellington
Logan van Beek: The 34-year-old Logan van Beek has been impressive in his last outing against the Central Stags where he picked 3 wickets for 28 runs. In the league so far, he has played two matches where he bowls at an economy rate of 7.64 and will be handy for Wellington against the Central.
Nick Greenwood: Nick Greenwood has so far played only one match for Wellington but has shown promise with the bat. He scored 48 off 30 in the middle order against Northern Braves to anchor Wellington's innings and might be crucial for the upcoming clash too.
Peter Younghusband: Peter Younghusband promises power with both the bat and the ball. he dismantled the stags in his last clash with figures of 2-39 and has an economy rate of 6.38 in Super Smash 2024-25. He also hooked 23 off 12 balls against the Northern Braves which reveals his intent with the bat.
Central
Tom Bruce: Tom Bruce has shown consistency with the bat this season with an explosive strike rate of 209.52 in his 3 matches. In his last encounter, he scored 64 runs off 31 balls against the Braves and 44 off 19 balls against Otago earlier this season and hence, can be lethal for Wellington in the upcoming clash.
Angus Schaw: Angus bagged a 15-ball-32 against Wellington in the last match and also snagged 3 wickets for 25 runs against the, Hence, the 30-year-old with an economy rate of 5.80 and a strike rate of 213.33 can pose as a dangerous threat for Wellington in the upcoming clash.
William Clark: The 23-year-old all-rounder showed promise with the ball with his 2 picks against Wellington this season. With an economy rate of 8.67, Clark might be a standout bowler for the team and can also contribute with the bat in the lower order if required.
Today's Match Prediction: WF vs CS
Predicted Top Performers
Wellington – Logan van Beek, Tom Blundell, Peter Younghusband
Central – Tom Bruce, Angus Schaw, William Clark
WF vs CS: Predicted Score
Predicted first innings score: 150-160
Predicted second innings score: 140-150
 "Soumyajit Dutta")
