Ford Trophy 2020-21, Preliminary Final: ND vs WF Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing 11, Pitch Report and Injury Update

Match Details:

The Preliminary Final of the Ford Trophy 2020-21 will be played between Northern Districts and Wellington Firebirds on 3rd March at the Seddon Park in Hamilton.

The match is scheduled to start at 11:00 AM local time and 3:30 AM IST.

Preview:

Northern Districts and Wellington Firebirds will be up against each other for the third time this season. After getting outplayed by the Firebirds, Northern Districts will be looking to restore parity in the preliminary final. Northern Districts ended their league stage on high by defeating the Stags convincingly. Joe Carter’s men have played some good cricket and finished second in the league stage with 26 points.

On the other side, the Firebirds are coming off a match where they scored the highest team total in the tournament’s history. They must be high in confidence with the sensational batting display, which played a key role in making them finish in the third spot in the points table. They defeated Northern Districts on both occasions earlier this season. Both the teams have quality players across all the departments and it should be a cracker of a game.

ND vs WF Weather Report for Preliminary Final:

The weather forecast does not look promising in Hamilton. There are more than 70% chances of precipitation throughout the match time. 

Pitch Condition/Report:

The condition of the wicket here at the Seddon Park in Hamilton is very good for batting. It was a bit difficult for the batsmen a couple of years ago, but since the last year, it has favoured the batsmen. The team winning the toss should definitely bat second.

Average first innings score:

264 (Considering last three List A games played at this venue)

Record of chasing teams:

Won – 3, Lost – 0, Tie – 0

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Injury and Availability News:

(Will be added when there is an update)

ND vs WF Today’s Probable Playing XIs:

Northern Districts

Jeet Raval, Katene Clarke, Joe Carter (c), BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Henry Cooper, Brett Hampton, Scott Kuggeleijn, Anurag Verma, Joe Walker, Matthew Fisher

Bench: 

Zak Gibson

Wellington Firebirds

Finn Allen, Tom Blundell (wk), Jakob Bhula, Michael Bracewell, Troy Johnson (c), Fraser Colson, Jamie Gibson, Logan Van Beek, Peter Younghusband, Ollie Newton, Iain McPeake

Bench:

Ben Sears, Lauchie Johns

ND vs WF Top Picks for Today’s Dream11 Match

Jeet Raval has been the top scorer for Northern Districts with 371 runs at an average of 37.10. He is a must pick for your Dream11 fantasy team, as he was the top scorer for his team in both the games against the Firebirds in the league phase.

Michael Bracewell scored an unbeaten 64 in the last game he faced Northern Districts. It was not an easy wicket to bat and he outscored everyone with the bat. He also has got the highest average so far for the Firebirds with four half-centuries in seven games. In addition to that, he also grabbed 9 wickets so far this season.

Tom Blundell will open the innings for the Firebirds once again. He is a reliable batsman and his impressive average of nearly 50 is a testament to that.

Alongside Blundell, Finn Allen will have to play a key role to give another good start for the Firebirds. Both of them scored centuries in the last game, with Allen striking at an astonishing strike rate of 216.95.

Brett Hampton is the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament so far. He has 17 wickets in his bag at an average of 23. He is coming off a very good game with three wickets against the Stags and three wickets against the Firebirds in the very recent meet with them.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain Options – Michael Bracewell, Jeet Raval

Vice-Captain Options – Tom Blundell, Brett Hampton

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Suggested Playing XI No.1 for ND vs WF Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Tom Blundell (VC), BJ Watling

Batters – Finn Allen, Jakob Bhula, Jeet Raval

All-Rounders – Michael Bracewell (C), Brett Hampton, Scott Kuggeleijn

Bowlers – Logan Van Beek, Peter Younghusband, Anurag Verma

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for ND vs WF Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Tom Blundell

Batters – Jeet Raval (C), Katene Clarke, Henry Cooper

All-Rounders – Brett Hampton (VC), Michael Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Jamie Gibson

Bowlers – Logan van Beek, Anurag Verma, Ben Sears

Expert Advice:

Leg-spinners got the lowest average at Seddon Park in comparison with the other types of bowlers. Therefore, Peter Younghusband can be a very good pick for this match, who is currently the highest wicket-taker for the Firebirds.

Today’s ND vs WF Probable Winners:

 Wellington Firebirds are expected to win this match.

Note: Updated Fantasy teams and Playing XIs of every match will be provided in our Telegram channel if the information is available.

Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.