Super Smash 2023/24 | AA vs CTB, Final - Top Captain and Vice Captain Choices

image-lrvjq01wAuckland Aces (x.com)

Six teams competed for the glory and it's down to just two contenders in the race for the 2024 Super Smash title. Auckland Aces and Canterbury Kings will be up against one another in the grand finale to be held at the Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland.

The Aces finished at the top of the points table with 28 points from ten matches and hence made an automatic qualification for the final. They won six matches and lost two of them. Meanwhile, the Kings earned a sweet victory against the Wellington Firebirds in the Elimination final and hence reached the main event of the mega-event. They were positioned second in the league table with 24 points from ten matches with five wins and three losses.

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AA vs CTB, Final- Toss Factor

The surface at the Eden Park Outer Oval is conducive to the batters during the first innings. The pitch tends to get slower during the second innings and the pace bowlers get swing with the new ball as well. Spinners get decent help on this venue too.


Scenario: If Auckland Aces field first

Bowling is one of the main strengths of the Aces and a lot will depend on how Denru Ferns, Ben Lister and Louis Delport bowl. They have been brilliant throughout the season and made things easier for their batters with Robert O'Donnell in good nick.


Scenario: If Canterbury Kings field first

The Kings have a strong batting line-up that is capable of chasing even gigantic totals. The likes of Chad Bowes, Cole McConchie, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls form a formidable stable for the Kings. Also, their bowling have been bolstered by the presence of Ish Sodhi after the T20Is against Pakistan.


AA vs CTB, Final- Top Captain and Vice Captain Choices

Scenario: If Auckland Aces field first

Henry Nicholls (CTB): The New Zealand middle order batter has a great composure and can steer his side to an above par total on moderate or tricky surfaces. He has smashed 275 runs from nine innings and is leading the chart of most runs among his teammates. 

Ben Lister (AA): The fiery pace bowler is very effective with the new ball and hits the deck hard to get the extra bit of bounce. Lister has been unlucky in some of the matches to have not extracted as many wickets as he would've desired despite ruthless spells. With 13 wickets from eight innings, the burly pacer would be key for Aces in the main event colossal.


Scenario: If Canterbury Kings field first

Zak Foulkes (CTB): The 21-year-old has had a good time during the Super Smash 2023/24 especially with the ball. He has been brilliant during the middle overs phases and has extracted 14 wickets from nine innings that includes five scalps from his last two features. He can also be handy in playing quickfire knocks with the bat. 

Danru Ferns (AA): The right-arm pacer has been brilliant with the new ball and had a tremendous outing after scalping 18 wickets from nine innings. He has bowled in pair with Lister on most occasions and paid rich dividends. Having snapped eight wickets from his last three encounters, the in-form paceman will be key for the Aces.


AA vs CTB, Final- High Risk, High Reward Choices

Ish Sodhi (CTB): The wily wrist spinner is going to be a crucial part of the Kings set-up for the grand finale against Aces. He has the ability to turn the ball both ways and may likely get healthy assistance from the surface. 

Robert O'Donnell (AA): The top-order batter has played his part for the Aces during the ongoing franchise event and is their leading run-getter with the willow. Despite blowing hot and cold, O'Donnell has racked up 192 runs from eight innings.