The Ford Trophy, 2019-20: Match 4, Auckland vs Central Districts – Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details:

The 4th match of the Ford Trophy 2019-20 will be played between Auckland and Central Districts at the Eden Park Outer Oval in Auckland.

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

Preview:

Auckland will be hosting Central Districts on Thursday at the Eden Park Outer Oval in Auckland. They started the Ford Trophy 2019-20 with a comfortable win against Wellington at this very venue. The track aided new ball pacers as the home team were reduced to 33/4 chasing a target of 192. Sean Solia (65*) and Robert O’Donnell (64) scored fifties to rescue them.

On the other hand, Central Districts posted a mammoth total of 349/4 in their 50 overs against Canterbury as George Worker (135) and Ben Smith (100) struck hundreds. However, the rain ensured only 2.4 overs in the chase as the game ended without a result.

Weather Condition/Report:

No threat from rain is expected for the game between Auckland and Central Districts to be played at the Eden Park Outer Oval.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The Eden Park Outer Oval in Auckland recorded totals around 270 in the previous editions. However, on Sunday, there was a lot of help for the bowlers and the top four batsmen on both sides collective aggregated 52 runs. But on Thursday, we might see a high-scoring game if the same pitch is used. If a new pitch is prepared for this game with green shades, we might be in for yet another low-scoring game.

Average first innings score: 256 (List A matches since 2018)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 3, Lost – 3

Injury and Availability:

Lockie Ferguson has been released from Test squad.

Probable Playing XIs:

Auckland:

Martin Guptill, Glenn Phillips, Colin Munro, Craig Cachopa (C), Sean Solia, Robert O’Donnell, Ben Horne (WK), Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Lister, Danru Ferns/Will Somerville.

Bench – Danru Ferns/Will Somerville.

Central Districts:

George Worker, Dane Cleaver (WK), Tom Bruce (C), Josh Clarkson, Ben Smith, Christian Leopard, Willem Ludick, Seth Rance, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner, Ray Toole/Ryan Watson.

Bench – Ray Toole/Ryan Watson.

Top Picks:

Sean Solia aggregated 383 runs in the last edition and also claimed 10 wickets. He scored an unbeaten 65 in the first match and also picked a wicket bowling full 10 overs. Lockie Ferguson claimed 35 wickets from 17 List A matches in 2019 at a strike rate of 27.3. George Worker aggregated 1164 runs from his last 19 innings in the Ford Trophy with three centuries and eight fifties. Blair Tickner last featured in Ford Trophy in 2017/18 and took 15 wickets across 8 matches.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Martin Guptill, Sean Solia, George Worker

Vice-Captain – Tom Bruce, Colin Munro, Josh Clarkson

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Glenn Phillips

Batters – Tom Bruce, Ben Smith, Robert O’Donnell

All-Rounders – Sean Solia (VC), George Worker (C), Kyle Jamieson

Bowlers – Seth Rance, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Lister, Blair Tickner

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Dane Cleaver, Glenn Phillips

Batters – Martin Guptill (C), Tom Bruce (VC), Josh Clarkson, Robert O’Donnell

All-Rounders – Sean Solia, George Worker

Bowlers – Blair Tickner, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Lister

Expert Advice:

The last game was played on an extremely tough pitch for batsmen when the ball was new. Considering that, we have avoided top-order batsmen in our Suggested No.1. The venue’s history does suggest 270+ totals and hence we picked up Martin Guptill as skipper. The New Zealand opener struck four List A tons at Eden Park Outer oval; the most by him at any ground.

Probable Winners:

The top players in the Auckland team could help them start with a home win.

*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.