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CLAIM NOWCentral Stags vs Wellington Firebirds, PS, Today Match Prediction 08 March 2024
Toss Winner - Central Stags won the toss and choose to bowl first
Match Drawn
Central Districts take on the table-toppers Wellington
- Wellington have won 3 Tests and lost none this season
- Central Districts seem to have ended their 1st innings struggle
- Wellington’s middle-order is in great form
Wellington to win
| Tournament: | Plunket Shield, 2023-24 |
| Format: | test |
| Venue: | Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North, New Zealand |
| Toss Prediction: | To Bat |
| Weather: | 16.0°C|Light rain shower |
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CD vs WELL Match Prediction & Analysis
Central Districts and Wellington will go head to head once again this season. The last time these two teams met, Wellington crushed Central Districts as they won by 172 runs.
Central Districts were bowled out for 169 and 184 in that match. They struggled to score runs in the 1st innings for quite some time. Even in their last win against Otago in Dunedin, Central Districts were bowled out for 182 runs in the 1st innings.
Wellington, on the other hand, have moved from strength to strength in every department. They’ve won 3 matches so far and two have ended in a draw. Their performance in the recent match against Canterbury in Rangiora was exceptional.
They were 218 runs behind after the 1st innings. And still, they managed to win the match by 5 wickets chasing down 328 runs in the 4th innings.
Central Districts put an end to their 1st innings woes as they posted a 427-run total in their last match batting first.
With a strong bowling attack that features an in-form Ajaz Patel and many in the lower order stepping up to the occasion, Central Districts will be confident of turning the tables on Wellington at Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North.
RECENT PERFORMANCE
CD
L L W L W
CD
WELL
W L L L W
WELL
526/10 in 127.3 4.13
328/5 in 91.2 3.59
285/8 in 50.0 5.7
289/6 in 50.0 5.78
330/8 in 50.0 6.6
285/10 in 49.0 5.82
HEAD TO HEAD
Last 5 Matches
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TEAMS PREVIEW
Central Stags Preview
Central Districts lost half of their side for 187 runs in the 1st innings of their last Test. It could have been another disappointing performance from the side had it not been for William Clark and Angus Schaw leading the comeback with an 89-run stand.
As Central Districts face Wellington for the second time this season, they will be looking to improve on their batting from the last time. Wellington had crushed them in both innings last time around.
And in their recent outing, Central Districts went from 129 for 2 to 187 for 5. The good news is the lower middle order coming to the rescue and not just Clark and Schaw but even Blair Tickner played a handy knock at number 8.
Ajaz Patel is also capable of playing a crucial role in building partnerships alongside a well-set batsman. Curtis Heaphy and skipper Greg Hay scored fifties in the top order and that should boost the team’s confidence going ahead.
Brad Schmulian and Dane Cleaver are among the more experienced players in the middle order who will be expected to step up and deliver big. We think Central Districts have a solid bowling attack and that should be their strongest asset coming into this match.
There were no Brett Randell and Doug Bracewell in the last match. And that can be a big miss if they aren’t in the XI for this match as well. Ajaz Patel is a key wicket-taker along with Tickner and Raymond Toole.
Central Stags Predicted Playing XI:
Jack Boyle, Curtis Heaphy, Greg Hay (c), Brad Schmulian, Dane Cleaver (wk), William Clark, Angus Schaw, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner, Raymond Toole, Liam Dudding
Central Stags Key Players From Previous Game Of Plunket Shield, 2023-24
Central Stags Actual Playing XI:
Greg Hay, Jack Boyle, Josh Clarkson, Tom Bruce, Brad Schmulian, Curtis Heaphy, Dane Cleaver, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner, Liam Dudding, Raymond Toole
Wellington Firebirds Preview
The brilliant comeback from Wellington in their last Test after trailing by 218 runs was phenomenal. The middle-order has played a crucial role in most of their wins so far.
Nick Kelly and Gareth Saverin scored 50+ in both innings of the last match while Muhammad Abbas stepped up in the run-chase with an unbeaten 110 runs at number 5.
Openers Tim Robinson and Nick Greenwood were out cheaply in both innings. And that will be a matter of concern for Wellington coming into this Test.
Bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith also made a significant impact with the bat as Wellington chased down a 300+ target. There are many match-winners in this batting lineup.
However, Wellington would hope that they don’t suffer the same fate as they did in their 1st innings with only Saverin and Kelly making any significant contributions while others failed to get going.
Not only did Nathan Smith score 75 runs at number 7, he was also the top wicket-taker with 6 for 36 in the second innings as they bundled up Canterbury for 109 runs.
Peter Younghusband and Logan van Beek are other key wicket-takers to watch out for in this bowling attack. Tim Robinson who played in the lower middle order hasn’t fared well as an opener.
Wellington should consider getting Callum McLachlan to open the innings and sending Robinson down to number 6.
Wellington Firebirds Predicted Playing XI:
Nick Greenwood, Tim Robinson, Gareth Severin, Nick Kelly (c), Muhammad Abbas, Callum McLachlan (wk), Nathan Smith, Logan van Beek, Peter Younghusband, Michael Snedden, James Hartshorn
Wellington Firebirds Key Players From Previous Game Of Plunket Shield, 2023-24
Wellington Firebirds Actual Playing XI:
Jesse Tashkoff, Nick Greenwood, Nick Kelly, Tim Robinson, Muhammad Arslan Abbas, Callum McLachlan, Gareth Severin, Iain Meake, Logan van Beek, Michael Snedden, Peter Younghusband
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
Weather Conditions
It is a batting-friendly pitch at Fitzherbert Park where batters have enjoyed scoring big in the Super Smash games. The pitch will stay good for batting for the first two days and we expect a lot of runs in the 1st innings of the Test.
There will be light rain on Day 1 of the match in Palmerston North with a high of 21 degrees Celsius. The rest of the days will have cloudy weather and as such, swing bowlers could have the upper hand.
CD vs WELL Pitch Report
Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North will be the venue for the 16th match of the Plunket Shield. It is a small ground with a fast outfield. And on top of it, a good batting wicket makes it ideal for batters. While the overcast conditions can assist swing bowlers making it tough for the batters to navigate the new ball, once set, the batters can score big.
Toss: To Bat
After a good outing with the bat in their recent Test, Central Districts would be confident of posting a good 1st innings score. Wellington too have many positives to take from their recent win. And as a result, both teams will be looking to bat first and post a 350+ total to get themselves on top of the game.
CD vs WELL
Winning Prediction
Though Central Districts struggled to score runs in their first innings for quite some time, it was months ago before Plunket Shield went into a break. After the break, Central Districts have come back stronger. Wellington have been exceptional throughout the season and their recent win has put them right on top of the points table.
The two teams seem to be well-matched as far as squad strengths are concerned. Both teams have a strong bowling attack capable of making things difficult for the opposition. However, Wellington, courtesy of their current form, will have a slight edge in our match prediction and will start favorites to win.
Wellington to win
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