Super Smash 2021-22 | Match Review | Bowlers and de Grandhomme essay another Northern-esque win

On January 16, 2022, Northern Knights faced Wellington Firebirds in the 24th match of this year's Super Smash competition at Cobham Oval. It was another bowling special followed by a Colin de Grandhomme fiasco, that helped the Knight seal the deal against Wellington. 

After winning the toss, the Firebirds captain Michael Bracewell chose to bat on a slow and tricky pitch. Jeet Raval, the home captain, was taken by surprise by this decision to bat first, as he would have bowled anyway.

The Knights didn’t start well as their star opener Finn Allen went out cheaply. After that, they were unable to form sufficient partnerships and were bowled out for 104 runs in 18.3 overs. Throughout the game, they were always behind the eight-ball.

Anurag Verma picked three wickets which halted the Firebirds’ progress. The spin trio of Mitchell Santner, Joe Walker, and Ish Sodhi took control in the middle overs, sharing five wickets among themselves. Walker and Santner dented the Firebirds with two wickets apiece.   

Chasing a low score of 105 was not that easy for the Knights to begin with. They were stranded at 21/2 after 4.1 overs. de Grandhomme then joined hands with his skipper to rebuild the innings with a 36-run stand for the third wicket. Captain Raval struggled his way out for his 15 runs off 28 balls before he was dismissed by his opposite number. 

The Kiwi all-rounder 41 (46)* stood tall and made sure that they won this match without much damage. Another crucial hand was played by Henry Cooper 17 (19)* who was a staunch supporter of de Grandhomme. 

In the end, Cooper’s maximum over covers on the last ball of the penultimate over sealed the match for Knights with an over to spare as they won it by 6 wickets.  

Rachin Ravindra, Michael Bracewell, and Peter Younghusband were successful to drag this match till the 19th over. Ravindra finished with two wickets while the other two spinners picked a wicket each.

With this win, the Knights continue their winning streak to six matches and they will stay firm at the top with 26 points from 8 matches while the Firebirds stay at the third place with 16 points.

Now Northern Knights will face Canterbury Kings on January 21, 2022, and Wellington Firebirds take on Auckland Aces on January 20, 2022.                      

Brief Scores

Northern Knights– 105/4 (19)

Colin de Grandhomme- 41(46)*, Rachin Ravindra 2/16(4)

Wellington Firebirds – 104(18.3)

Jimmy Neesham- 20(21), Anurag Verma- 3/25(3.3)

Northern Knights won by 6 wickets.