Super Smash 2021-22 | Northern Knights vs Canterbury Kings | The Final, Preview, Predictions, Fantasy XI

D-Day is almost here. We've almost gotten to the finale of the 2021-22 Super Smash tournament. The big game, as cricket pundits call it, will be played between the tournament's two most successful teams, i.e. Northern Knights and Canterbury Kings.

The Final will be held on January 29, 2022, at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The venue is home to the Knights, who won the right to host it after finishing first in the points table. Meanwhile, to reach the final, Canterbury had to beat Wellington Firebirds in the Elimination Final.

In the league phase, both these finalists have played each other twice and on both occasions, the table-toppers have emerged as the better side. The first instance was won by a close margin of 1 wicket. Remember Trent Boult's last-ball six to seal the deal? I bet you do. However, in the reverse fixture, the Knights cruised their chase of 174 to get home by 8 wickets.

Both squads appear to be nearly unchanged, with the possible exception of Scott Kuggeleijn returning from his rest from the previous game for Northern Knights.

The Knights have won the Super Smash titles twice but they have also been runners-up the same number of times as well. This time around, the home team will eye for their third title. 

Canterbury Kings, on the other hand, haven’t won a single silverware, since being the champions in the inaugural season in 2005-06. On various occasions, they have come close but never couldn’t go past the raceline. So now is the time to make amends for their misfortunes? 

Who will be the champions this time? Would it be the Knights for the third time, or will it be the Kings for the second time in their history? All will be revealed tomorrow after an exciting finale. 

Match Details

Northern Knights vs Canterbury Kings – The Final

Date and Time: January 29, 2022, 11:10 AM IST

Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton

Broadcast: Fan Code

Pitch Report

We have seen Seddon Park only twice in this tournament. Once it was a rain killed game and another was a fairly easy chase for the Knights against the Aces. The pitch will help the seamers more than the batters. The average score batting first is around 150s. Toss-winning captain usually likes to chase here but since it's the final they might think of putting the score on the board.  

Weather Conditions

The weather is ideal for the spectacular final, which will take place in Hamilton. Forecasts predict that there will be no rain and that the sky will be clear throughout the game.

Probable Playing XI

Northern Knights

Katene Clarke, Tim Seifert (wk), Jeet Raval (c), Colin de Grandhomme, Henry Cooper, Mitchell Santner, Scott Keggeleijn, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Anurag Verma. 

Canterbury Kings

Chad Bowes, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Cole McConchie (c), Leo Carter, Henry Shipley, Cam Fletcher (wk), Todd Astle, Matt Henry, Ed Nuttall, Mitchell Hay.

CE Fantasy XI

Tim Seifert, Jeet Raval, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell, Chad Bowes, Cam Fletcher, Henry Shipley, Trent Boult

Captain- Katene Clarke

 Vice-Captain- Tom Latham