Canterbury Kings will go head-to-head against Auckland Aces on Tuesday at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Currently, Canterbury is placed second, with 20 points from seven matches, while Auckland is in fourth place with 16 points from the same number of matches as Canterbury played.
They met each other earlier in the 20th match of the tournament where the Kings from Canterbury showed the Aces how to chase a target effortlessly as they hunted down a target of 168 runs with 13 balls to spare. Thanks to Cam Fletcher who rode the Aces attack and came on top with his unbeaten match-winning half-century. Henry Shipley was not far away from his support as he finished the game with a massive six over backward square leg region.
Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, and Matt Henry will be back to join the Kings squad after a crunching series against visiting Bangladesh. Canterbury will be ecstatic to see their international stars back which will not only bolster their line-up but also their confidence going into the business end of the tournament.
On the other hand, Louis Delport is added back to the squad but we don't see him playing in the next contest as the Aces will not tinker with their squad which is fresh from their heist against Otago. Auckland from the position they were at had no right to win the game, but Sean Solia’s brave knock made that happen.
It will be interesting to see whether Canterbury tries to push for a home final or Auckland pulls down Wellington to gain the all-important third spot.
Match Details
Canterbury Kings vs Auckland Aces - 25th Match
Date and Time: January 18, 2022, 11:10 AM IST
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Broadcast: Fan Code
Pitch Report
The Hagley Oval pitch is fresh from a Test match against Bangladesh where the ball swung like a banana. But since it is a short format the pitch will help the batters for sure and has an average score of 170 batting first. The seamers will have some assistance throughout the match. The captain who wins the toss should bat first without a second thought.
Weather Conditions
According to forecasts, there will be no rain, and will be clear throughout the match.
Probable Playing XI
Canterbury Kings
Chad Bowes, Tom Latham, Leo Carter, Cole McConchie (c), Cam Fletcher (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Henry Shipley, Todd Astle, Matt Henry, Edward Nuttall, Blake Coburn.
Auckland Aces
George Worker, Graeme Beghin, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Robert O’Donnell (c), Ben Horne (wk), Sean Solia, William Somerville, Aditya Ashok, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Lister.
CE Fantasy XI
Daryl Mitchell, Matt Henry, Todd Astle, George Worker, Cam Fletcher, Mark Chapman, Aditya Ashok, Glenn Phillips, Henry Shipley.
Captain- Tom Latham
Vice-Captain- Lockie Ferguson