Northern Knights and Canterbury Kings face off against each other in the 11th Match of the Super Smash competition at the Bay Oval ground, Mount Maunganui. Currently, the Knights are placed at the second spot with 10 points from four games, and the Kings are poised just below them at the third spot with 8 points from three matches.
In their previous matches both the teams won chasing the target quite comfortably and will try to do the same at the Bay Oval. The Knights stifled the in-form Auckland Aces by 6 wickets with 29 balls to spare. Earlier in the game, the Aces were bundled out for just 92 runs. Anurag Verma and Frederick Walker were in good nick as they ended up picking three wickets apiece. Tim Seifert anchored the chase, continuing his purple patch.
Hence, the Knights will have the upper hand with their key players performing well thus far in the tournament. Trent Boult and Scott Kuggeleijn were given rest in their previous match against the Aces, and the dynamic duo will be eager to play this game if the opportunity arises.
The Kings, on the other hand, defeated Wellington by six wickets last Sunday. The Kings restricted the Wellington-based side to 151/9 in their allotted 20 overs. For Canterbury, Matt Henry and Ed Nuttall took three wickets each.
It was their second win of the season, courtesy to Chad Bowes and Cam Fletcher's brilliant fifties, which helped them win with 21 balls to spare. With different players contributing to their team in different matches, they will be confident going into this match. Their line-up is looking even more dangerous now with Henry Nicholls’ return from the national duties.
Both the teams are in good shape and will have selection headaches with their international stars back in the squad. All in all, it should be a crackerjack of a contest.
Match Details
Northern Knights vs Canterbury Kings- 11th Match
Date and Time: December 23, 2021, 11:10 AM IST
Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Broadcast: Fan Code
Pitch Report:
The Bay Oval pitch generally suits the batters as there will be plenty of runs offered. It will be good for stroke-making and scoring quickly. It will offer some assistance to seamers. Most captains after winning the toss here will bat first. The average first innings score is around 170.
Weather Conditions
According to the forecasts, it will be clear and will have no rain throughout the match.
Probable Playing XI
Northern Knights
Katene Clarke, Tim Seifert (wk), Jeet Raval (c), Joe Carter, Colin de Grandhomme, Henry Cooper, Anurag Verma, Frederick Walker, Matthew Fisher, Ish Sodhi, Zak Gibson.
Canterbury Kings
Chad Bowes, Ken McClure, Leo Carter, Cole McConchie (c), Cam Fletcher (wk), Matt Hay, Matt Henry, Todd Astle, Henry Shipley, Black Coburn, Ed Nuttall.
CE Fantasy XI
Chad Bowes, Katene Clarke, Jeet Raval, Colin de Grandhomme, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Todd Astle, Anurag Verma, Ed Nuttall
Captain- Tim Seifert
Vice-Captain- Cole McConchie