Super Smash T20 2018-19, Match 19: Wellington Firebirds vs Auckland Aces: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

The Auckland Aces are positioned 5th among six teams in the points table despite losing only two matches in the tournament so far. They have played five matches thus far, the fewest among all the teams. Two of their matches got abandoned where they had some International stars in their line-up. The Aces defeated Central Stags before losing to the Canterbury Kings by five wickets and Northern Knights by two runs.

The Aces were going well in their previous game against the Otago Volts where they made 117/1 from 11 overs before the rain intervened. They will have the likes of Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips and Lockie Ferguson on their side when they face Wellington Firebirds at the Basin Reserve. The Firebirds also have Jimmy Neesham on their side who comes in place of Ben Lister. The injured all-rounder has to prove his fitness for returning to the national team.

Match Details:

The 19th match of the Super Smash T20 2018-19 will be played between Wellington Firebirds and Auckland Aces at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

The match starts at 4:00 PM local time (3:00 AM GMT) (8:30 AM IST).

The game will be live on Star Sports Select 1 and Star Sports Select 1 HD. Streaming available on Hotstar.

Pitch Condition/Report:

Basin Reserve is a perfect venue for T20s as the track here usually stays the same or in fact gets better as the game progresses. The recent record which suggests that batting sides win more than chasing sides here masks the games where teams lost by a margin as small as one run.

Average first innings score: 166 (Last seven completed Twenty20s)

Chasing team record: Won – 2, Lost – 5. (Last seven completed Twenty20s)

Team News:

Wellington Firebirds:

In – Jimmy Neesham | Out – Michael Pollard

Auckland Aces:

In – Lockie Ferguson | Out – Ben Lister

Squads:

Wellington Firebirds:

Hamish Bennett (C), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Adam Hose, Troy Johnson, Iain Mcpeake, Ollie Newton, Jimmy Neesham, Jeetan Patel, Ben Sears, Logan van Beek, Luke Woodcock.

Auckland Aces:

Craig Cachopa (C), Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Ronnie Hira, Colin Munro, Robert ODonnell, Matthew Quinn, Mark Chapman, William Somerville, Donovan Grobbelaar, Glenn Phillips, Lockie Ferguson.

Power Picks:

Michael Bracewell has scored 218 runs in five games this season including a hat-trick of fifties. The Firebirds’ opener has produced some power-packed innings to make the most of the field restrictions. He will be crucial for the Wellington’s chances against Auckland.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Jimmy Neesham will be raring to go and continue his form from the ODI series against Sri Lanka. The Auckland openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro are also expected to make a strong impact. Michael Bracewell will be a perfect alternative as a multiplier.

Playing XI #1 for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper – Glenn Phillips

Batters – Devon Conway, Martin Guptill (VC), Michael Bracewell, Robert O’Donnell

All-Rounders – Jimmy Neesham (C), Colin Munro

Bowlers – Ollie Newton, Logan van Beek, William Somerville, Lockie Ferguson

Playing XI #2 for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Tom Blundell

Batters – Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Craig Cachopa

All-Rounders – Jimmy Neesham (VC), Colin Munro (C), Donovan Grobbelaar

Bowlers – Logan van Beek, Ronnie Hira, Lockie Ferguson

Expert Advice:

Quite a few skilful batsmen are part of both the teams which makes it tough to choose from the batsmen’s category. In T20I cricket, picking the top order batsmen will be ideal for the fantasy team. Guptill, Bracewell and Conway have to be the first choice from this category.

Probable Winners:

Auckland Aces will start as favourites against the Wellington Firebirds given the big names on their side.

*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.

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