The Ford Trophy, 2019-20: Match 20, Central Districts vs Otago – Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details:

The 20th match of the Ford Trophy 2019-20 will be played between Central Districts and Otago at the Saxton Oval in Nelson.

The match starts at 11:00 AM local time (10:00 PM GMT – Prev Day) (3:30 AM IST).

Preview:

Otago will tour Central Districts in the reverse fixture having defeated them by a huge 125-run margin after posting a 400+ total. It was Otago’s 3rd win of the tournament while the Central Districts still have only one win to their credit. Things will worsen for them with the absence of Will Young and Dane Cleaver in addition to their regular skipper Tom Bruce. However, George Worker’s return will certainly boost their batting. Hamish Rutherford, the last match hero with a 155-run knock, will miss the Wednesday’s match along with Michael Rae for the Otago.

Weather Condition/Report:

The Saxton Oval is expected to be covered by the clouds on Wednesday but the match is unlikely to be affected by rain.

Pitch Condition/Report:

Only one game was possible at the Saxton Oval during the 2018/19 season in Ford Trophy. Central Districts posted 269 and defeated Otago by 37 runs. In an ODI between NZ and SL in January last year, the home team posted 364 in their 50 overs and bundled out the Lankans to 249. Looking at the recent matches in other formats, we can expect the venue to produce big runs like the University Oval on Saturday.

Average first innings score: 317 (List A matches since 2018/19)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 0, Lost – 2

Injury and Availability:

(Will be added when there is an update)

Probable Playing XIs:

Central Districts:

George Worker, Greg Hay, Josh Clarkson, Ben Smith (C), Bayley Wiggins (WK), Kieran Noema-Barnett, Willem Ludick, Seth Rance, Ben Wheeler, Jayden Lennox, Brad Schmulian.

Bench – Ryan Watson.

Otago:

Nick Kelly, Mitch Renwick (WK), Neil Broom, Dean Foxcroft, Nathan Smith, Anaru Kitchen (C), Michael Rippon, Josh Finnie, Matt Bacon, Dale Phillips, Travis Muller.

Bench – Tommy Clout.

Top Picks:

Seth Rance is continuing his wicket-taking form as he picked up 13 wickets from six games in this tournament. No other Central Districts’ player has picked more than seven wickets. George Worker has always been impressive in the Ford Trophy scoring big runs. However, he went through low scores during the recent 3-match unofficial series against India A. Ben Wheeler had a poor outing with the ball and didn’t score anything with the bat either. Across the previous two editions on Ford Trophy, Wheeler picked 18 wickets from only 8 matches and also scored 138 runs.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – George Worker, Dean Foxcroft, Neil Broom

Vice-Captain – Kieran Noema-Barnett, Ben Wheeler, Anaru Kitchen

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Bayley Wiggins

Batters – George Worker (VC), Nick Kelly, Neil Broom

All-Rounders – Kieran Noema-Barnett, Dean Foxcroft (C), Michael Rippon, Anaru Kitchen

Bowlers – Seth Rance, Ben Wheeler, Nathan Smith

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Mitch Renwick

Batters – George Worker, Nick Kelly, Neil Broom (C)

All-Rounders – Kieran Noema-Barnett (VC), Willem Ludick, Dean Foxcroft, Anaru Kitchen

Bowlers – Seth Rance, Ben Wheeler, Nathan Smith

Expert Advice:

As many as nine players are common across the two Fantasy teams we have suggested. It shows how the individuals have dominated for their respective teams. The problematic area here is the all-rounders’ category. Dean Foxcroft is quite consistent but Kieran Noema-Barnett and Anaru Kitchen can’t be ignored after their recent performances. Hence, only one of Willem Ludick and Michael Rippon can be picked in the final fantasy XI.

Probable Winners:

The Central Districts are likely to register their 2nd win of the tournament.

*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.