Auckland Aces vs Central Stags, PS, Today Match Prediction 20 October 2023

AUCK vs CD Match Prediction & Analysis

The Plunket Shield 2023-24 season kicks off with Auckland clashing with the defending champions at a neutral venue. Auckland are the most successful team with 24 title wins to their name in this 116-year-old championship tournament.

Mark Chapman and Lockie Ferguson from Auckland and Will Young from Central Districts are part of the 15-man squad for the World Cup in India. Their absence will not hurt either team.

Auckland bowling all-rounder William Somerville picked up 26 wickets from 8 matches last year and was the 3rd highest wicket-taker in the league. Tom Bruce, captain of Central Districts scored 705 runs from 12 innings at an average of 70.50.

There are quite a few match-winners in both teams apart from the promising players who’ve ed the NZ World Cup squad. 3 bowlers from Central Districts were among the top 10 wicket-takers last season.

Central Districts completely outplayed Auckland in both of their encounters last season. Nevertheless, Auckland are a strong side and will be eager to bounce back at a venue where they’ve been successful in the past.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

AUCK

CD

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Auckland Aces Preview

Auckland suffered 3 losses in the last season and two of these came against Central Districts. It wasn’t just the loss but the nature of it that will have hurt Auckland the most.

The first loss came at home where Auckland were bowled out for 75 runs in the 1st innings. The second time these two teams met, Auckland were bowled out for 103 runs while chasing a 292-run target.

Robert ODonnell will be hoping for his key players to come good in this match. The opening match against the defending champions will set the tone for the rest of their campaign. Martin Guptill is an experienced batter in the top order and will be expected to deliver a good start.

And if he doesn’t feature in the XI, Sean Solia would open the innings with William ODonnell. The top and middle-order failed to deliver big returns in the last season. And the likes of Cole Briggs and skipper Robert ODonnell at number 3 and 4 need to find their rhythm soon.

It is the lower-middle order that has come good for Auckland more often. George Worker, Ben Horne, and William Somerville will be key batters to watch out for. While Somerville has also found success with the ball, the right-arm leg-break bowler Adithya Ashok was a great find last season.

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

William O Donnell, Sean Solia, Mark Chapman, Robert ODonnell (c), George Worker, Ben Horne (wk), Simon Keene, William Somerville, Danru Ferns, Adithya Ashok, Ben Lister, Matt Gibson

Auckland Aces Actual Playing XI:

George Worker, Robert O'Donnell, William O'Donnell, Danru Ferns, Sean Solia, Simon Keene, Cameron Fletcher, Quinn Sunde, Adithya Ashok, Benjamin Lister, Finn Allen

Central Stags Preview

After beating Auckland at two different venues last season, Central Districts are all set to face them again, this time at a neutral venue. Even without Will Young in the side, they still look pretty solid in the batting department.

Greg Hay, Brad Schmulian, and skipper Tom Bruce are reliable batters in the middle order who’ve delivered significant knocks time and again. There were 3 wicket-keeper batters in the squad last season.

Curtis Heaphy can open the innings while the experienced Dane Cleaver can be very crucial in the middle order. Along with 3 wicket-keepers, Central Districts also featured 3 batting all-rounders which allowed for depth in the batting lineup. 

Doug Bracewell comes in at number 7 followed by a very handy Ajaz Patel who’s scored runs for New Zealand in a winning cause on the international stage. The bowling attack was lethal with 3 of their bowlers featuring the top 10 wicket-takers list last year.

Brett Randell, Raymond Toole, and Blair Tickner will be the key wicket-takers to watch out for. There is variety in this bowling attack with Bracewell and Patel also delivering consistently with the ball. It is a formidable side with match-winners in every department.

Central Stags Predicted Playing XI:

Ben Smith, Curtis Heaphy, Brad Schmulian, Dane Cleaver (wk), Tom Bruce (c), Bayley Wiggins, Doug Bracewell, Ajaz Patel, Brett Randell, Blair Tickner, Raymond Toole

Central Stags Actual Playing XI:

Greg Hay, Jack Boyle, Josh Clarkson, Tom Bruce, Brad Schmulian, Doug Bracewell, Dane Cleaver, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner, Brett Randell, Raymond Toole

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It is a balanced surface at the Basin Reserve where both batters and bowlers will find help from the surface. Bowlers will find some movement with the new ball in the first innings while batters will find it easy to play their strokes as the match progresses on Day 2 and 3.

AUCK vs CD Pitch Report

Basin Reserve in Wellington will be the venue for the opening match of the Plunket Shield 2023-24 season. The average 1st innings score at this venue is 313 runs and it is the same in the second innings as well. We reckon this score would be quite competitive considering the bowling strength of both sides.

Toss: To Bowl

Teams bowling first have had an advantage at this venue in Tests. Central Districts have a strong bowling attack that has dominated Auckland in their last two encounters. It will be in the best interest of both sides to bowl first on winning the toss.