Canterbury Kings vs Central Stags | Preview, Prediction

Anurag Singh

Central Stags are confident going into their third game after winning two of their first two. On the other hand, Canterbury will be looking to correct the mistakes that cost them the first match. The Kings will play on their home turf in Christchurch, but they are not in the driver's seat, owing to the opposition's current form.

In Canterbury's first match, which they lost by 27 runs to Wellington, there was no such standout individual performance. Ed Nuttall took three wickets for them, which was a good sign.

The focus is on the Central Stags, who have won their last two games with relative ease. Their batters are also in good form, as evidenced by their ability to chase well in the first match and put up a solid total and defend it in the second. If there's one thing they need to work on, it's their bowling. Their bowling has some flaws when compared to their batting.

Tom Bruce and Josh Clarkson have fifties in their previous encounter against the Wellington Firebirds. Dane Cleaver has a hundred to his name in the first match against the Otago Volts. The Stags' batters are in good form, and when their team is under pressure to score, one or more of them rises to the occasion. Their bowling is also up to the mark, with Doug Bracewell and Seth Rance, an experienced duo, performing admirably. The Kings, on the other hand, are desperate to execute their plans this time around in order to make a strong comeback from their loss to the Volts. To make a match out of it, they must be alert and bring their "A" game.

Canterbury must find the right eleven and apply pressure to the Stags' weak spots. There are not many weak links in the Stags line up but as mentioned above that is the only concern for them.

Match Details

Canterbury Kings vs Central Stags - 5th Match

Date and Time: December 10, 2021, 11:10 AM IST

Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Broadcast: Fancode

Pitch Report

The Hagley Oval pitch generally assists the batters but with some nice covering of grass expected the new ball bowlers will have some help initially. The score batting first is expected to be around 165-180. As rain is expected to come, chasing could be easy.

Weather Conditions

According to forecasts there will be slight drizzle and will remain cloudy throughout the match.

Probable XI

Canterbury Kings

Chad Bowes, Ken McClure, Jack Boyle, Cole McConchie (c), Cam Fletcher (wk), Leo Carter, Matthew Hay, Matt Henry, Will Williams, William ORourke, Ed Nuttall

Central Stags

Greg Hay, Bayley Wiggins, Dane Cleaver (wk), Tom Bruce ©, Christian Leopard, Josh Clarkson, Doug Bracewell, Ben Wheeler, Jayden Lennox, Blair Tickner, Seth Rance

CE Fantasy XI

Dane Cleaver (wk), Leo Carter, Seth Rance, Ed Nuttall, Tom Bruce, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Jack Boyle, Ben Wheeler

Captain: Josh Clarkson

Vice-Captain: Doug Bracewell

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