Otago Volts vs Auckland, Plunket Shield 2023-24, Today Match Prediction 29 February 2024

ov vs auc Match Prediction & Analysis

Otago and Auckland will lock horns in the 15th match of the 2023-4 Plunkett Shield played at University Oval in Dunedin, starting from Thursday.

With no victories in their first four matches, Otago are currently lying in the bottom half of the league table. Captain Max Chu will be hoping that the side can put in an improved batting performance in this fixture.

On the other hand, Auckland are lying at the bottom of the league table. Skipper Sean Solia will be hoping that the side can put on a decent show in this contest.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Otago Volts Preview

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Dale Phillips, captain Max Chu, Jamal Todd, Luke Georgeson and Thorn Parkes to deliver timely breakthroughs.

With 285 runs in eight innings, Dale Phillips is currently leading run-scorer for Otago so far this season. Besides Phillips, captain Max Chu has shown decent form with the bat and accumulated 255 runs at an average of 31.87.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Jacob Duffy, Matthew Bacon, Ben Lockrose, and Jarrod McKay to deliver timely breakthroughs.

With 21 wickets in seven innings, pacer Jacob Duffy is the leading wicket-taker for Otago so far this season.

Otago Volts Predicted Playing XI:

Dale Phillips, Jamal Todd, Jacob Cumming, Thorn Parkes, Luke Georgeson, Llew Johnson, Max Chu (c & wk), Ben Lockrose, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Bacon, Jarrod McKay

Auckland Preview

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Sean Solia, William O’Donnell, George Worker, Finn Allen, and Quinn Sunde to deliver the bulk of the runs.

In the previous match, captain Sean Solia was the star of the show with the bat for Auckland and finished the innings with the top-score of 206 runs off 434 balls with the help of twenty-four fours and one six. Besides Solia, opener William O’Donnell scored 102 runs off 233 balls with the help of thirteen fours and two sixes.

In the bowling department, the side will be depending on the likes of Adithya Ashok, Danru Ferns, Louis Delport, Jamie Gibson, Sean Solia and Ryan Harrison to deliver timely breakthroughs.

In the previous match, Louis Delport was the pick of the bowlers for Auckland and claimed 6 for98 in 36.2 overs.

Auckland Predicted Playing XI:

Sean Solia (c), William O Donnell, Quinn Sunde, Finn Allen, George Worker, Cam Fletcher (wk), Ryan Harrison, Adithya Ashok, Danru Ferns, Louis Delport, Jamie Gibson

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The typical wicket at Dunedin is going to offer help to the seamers. The batsmen will have to show solid technique to score runs on this surface. The weather forecast for the match is tricky as rain is expected for the final two days of the game.

Venue Details

University Oval in Dunedin is going to host the 15th match of the 2023-4 Plunkett Shield between Otago and Auckland.

Otago have lost previous two matches played at University Oval in Dunedin.

Toss: To Bat

Both the sides will be keen to win the toss, bat first and post a competitive total on the board. The two matches played at University Oval have been won by side batting first.