Super Smash T20 2018-19, Match 3: Auckland Aces vs Wellington Firebirds – Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips

Auckland Aces are expected to hand the Wellington Firebirds their 2nd consecutive defeat as they boast of a solid line-up.

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Martin Guptill Auckland Aces
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Martin Guptill of the Auckland Aces. (Photo by Joel Ford/Getty Images)

After a tough loss in the Super Smash T20 opener, the Wellington Firebirds will now face the Auckland Aces in an away game. The Firebirds need to produce their ‘A’ game to open their winning account against the Aces. The Auckland team got a boost with the addition of New Zealand’s star International players for their season’s opening game. Martin Guptill will be back in action in this game after nursing a calf injury. He is expected to open the innings for the Auckland Aces along with Colin Munro.

Adding to these two devastating opening batsmen, Aces have Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman and Lockie Ferguson in their side whom they could lose once the limited-overs leg against Sri Lanka begins. Wellington, on the other hand, has announced an unchanged 13-man squad for this game. It was clear that the Firebirds did not want to over analyze the defeat against Northern Knights where their bowlers were taken to the cleaners.

Match Details:

The 3rd match of the Super Smash T20 2018-19 will be played between Auckland Aces and Wellington Firebirds at the Eden Park Outer Oval in Auckland.

The match starts at 3:00 PM local time (2:00 AM GMT) (7:30 AM IST).

The game will be no official broadcast of this match.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The Eden Park Outer Oval is the venue outside the Auckland’s Eden Park which is usually used for Auckland’s domestic games and Women’s ODIs. The venue hosted six matches last season and the scores recorded in those can be cut into two halves. The first three matches had scores of 192, 206 and 202 while the last three games had scores of 145, 139 and 163. But one thing was common throughout the season was five of the six matches were won by the chasing teams.

Squads:

Auckland Aces:

Craig Cachopa (C), Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Donovan Grobbelaar, Martin Guptill, Roneel Hira, Ben Lister, Colin Munro, Robbie O’Donnell, Glenn Phillips (WK), Matthew Quinn, Will Somerville.

Wellington Firebirds:

Hamish Bennett (C), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Adam Hose, Troy Johnson, Jimmy Neesham, Ollie Newton, Malcolm Nofal, Jeetan Patel, Michael Pollard, Ben Sears, Luke Woodcock.

Probable XI:

Auckland Aces:

Craig Cachopa (C), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips (WK), Mark Chapman, Robbie O’Donnell, Lockie Ferguson, Donovan Grobbelaar, Roneel Hira, Ben Lister, Will Somerville/Matthew Quinn.

Wellington Firebirds:

Hamish Bennett (C), Tom Blundell, Michael Pollard, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Adam Hose, Jimmy Neesham, Ollie Newton, Malcolm Nofal/Ben Sears, Jeetan Patel, Luke Woodcock.

Power Picks:

Glenn Phillips was the 2nd leading run-getter in the 2018 CPL only behind Colin Munro. However, after this tournament, the keeper-batsman didn’t make any big contributions with the bat. Coming into the Super Smash, Philips struck a fifty in the warm-up game against Hobart Hurricanes.

In a team like Auckland Aces that is filled with big-hitting batsmen, Robbie O’Donnell has the role of anchoring the innings. He has the ability to hit big but ensures he stays at the crease and comes handy in case of a collapse. The South Africa-born batsman has 442 runs in his Twenty20 career at a record average of 73.66.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Munro and Guptill are coming here on the back of fifties against the Hobart Hurricanes in the warm-up matches. Munro’s ability to chip in with a couple of overs makes him an ideal choice for captain and Guptill is the vice-captain. Alternative options for the roles will be Jimmy Neesham and Adam Hose who are riding on good form this year.

Best Playing XI:

Tom Blundell, Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Devon Conway, Adam Hose, Robert O’Donnell, Jimmy Neesham, Donovan Grobbelaar/Jeetan Patel, Ronnie Hira, Lockie Ferguson, Ollie Newton.

Risky Playing XI:

Glenn Phillips, Colin Munro, Devon Conway, Adam Hose (VC), Craig Cachopa, Michael Pollard, Jimmy Neesham, Donovan Grobbelaar (C), Lockie Ferguson, William Somerville, Ollie Newton.

Expert Advice:

With Munro, Guptill and Neesham sure shot picks, a total of 31 points have to be spent on this trio. This will force you to take a gamble by picking Tom Blundell over Glenn Phillips due to high price tags of other players. As Munro and Guptill open the innings, leaving out Phillips won’t be a bad idea.

Probable Winners:

Auckland Aces are expected to hand the Wellington Firebirds their 2nd consecutive defeat as they boast of a solid line-up.

*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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