Otago Volts vs Auckland, The Ford Trophy 2023-24, Today Match Prediction 21 February 2024

ov vs auc Match Prediction & Analysis

We are in the Qualifier match of The Ford Trophy 2023-24, where Otago Volts shall take on Auckland Aces. Both sides have done well in recent matches and come into the contest with convincing wins. Otago Volts defeated the Wellington Firebirds in the last game, while the Auckland Aces defeated the Central Stags. We have seen a close rivalry between the two teams. The last four games between the two sides have seen each win twice. The Volts have won the last four games, and it will make them confident. Auckland Aces has a strong batting lineup, and it will be an interesting game as both sides put in their best.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Otago Volts Preview

Dean Foxcroft’s side has peaked at the right time in the tournament. They defeated the Wellington Firebirds by 8 wickets in the last game to book a berth in the Qualifier. They will face a tough challenge in this game from the Auckland Aces. Foxcroft will look for a good show from senior players in the side. The side will look for a good start from Luke Georgeson and Jacob Cumming, as they are up against a strong bowling attack. Foxcroft has done well in the middle order and will look to build partnerships with Dale Phillips and Thorn Parkes. Llew Johnson, Max Chu, and Ben Lockrose add depth to the lineup, making it strong. Jacob Duffy and Andrew Hazeldine are doing well with the new ball, and the side will hope to see a good start from them in this contest. Luke Georgeson will be confident after his fifer, and he will look to do well in the middle overs with Matthew Bacon. Ben Lockrose and Foxcroft must do well in the ing role.

Otago Volts Predicted Playing XI:

Dean Foxcroft (c), Luke Georgeson, Jacob Cumming, Dale Phillips, Thorn Parkes, Llew Johnson, Max Chu (wk), Ben Lockrose, Andrew Hazeldine, Matthew Bacon, Jacob Duffy

Auckland Preview

Robert O'Donnell's side has done well to finish second on the points table. The side comes into this contest with a 5-wicket win over the Central Stags. They have big games on the side, and the Aces’ skipper will expect a good show from his players. Robert O'Donnell would like his players to guard against complacency. The side will expect a strong show from Finn Allen and Martin Guptill, as both players have a lot of experience. The middle order is strong, and the side will expect runs from the trio of William O'Donnell, Robert O'Donnell, and Mark Chapman. Cam Fletcher and Louis Delport add firepower to the batting lineup. Danru Ferns and Ben Lister will look to make use of the new ball and fresh and strike early in the game. Jock McKenzie and Louis Delport must bowl tight spells in the middle overs to put the Volts under pressure. Lockie Ferguson adds X-factor to the attack, and he will look to do well along with William O’Donnell.

Auckland Predicted Playing XI:

Robert O'Donnell (c), Finn Allen, Martin Guptill, Mark Chapman, William O’Donnell, Cam Fletcher (wk), Jock McKenzie, Lockie Ferguson, Danru Ferns, Louis Delport, Ben Lister

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There are predictions for clear skies over Dunedin. The track would be tricky to bat on and, as the bowlers, would find a lot of assistance from the surface. The side batting first would be happy to set up 280 runs or more on this track.

Venue Details

The pitch at University Oval, Dunedin, offers assistance to the bowlers and can be a challenging surface to bat on with the ball doing around a bit. Batsmen, however, are at an advantage as well, with the shorter square boundaries offering good scoring opportunities. The conditions here suit the fast bowlers more than the spinners.

Toss: To Bowl

We shall see some juice in the surface early on that would help the bowlers. We have seen low scores at this venue in the past. Considering all these things, the side that wins the toss shall opt for bowling first here.