Wellington Firebirds vs Central Stags, FT, Today Match Prediction 26 October 2024

WELL vs CD Match Prediction & Analysis

Wellington are hoping to build on the first victory of the season when they take on strugglers Central Districts in their third match of the season. The decent victory over Auckland has provided a huge belief within Wellington, who are up to 5 points for the campaign. After having never suffered a defeat against Central Districts since November 2022, Wellington are stepping into the game in a positive fashion. The same cannot be said about their opposition, who have begun the campaign with back-to-back losses. The latest of those losses came by eight runs at the hands of Northern Districts.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

WELL

L W W L L

WELL

129/10 in 40.2 3.2

FT

Canterbury Kings beat Wellington Firebirds by 6 wickets

20 Oct 2024

CANT

130/4 in 22.3 5.78

WELL

421/10 in 128.4 3.27

PS

Wellington Firebirds beat Otago Volts by 42 runs 16 Mar 2024

OV

0/0 in 0.0 0

CANT

526/10 in 127.3 4.13

PS

Wellington Firebirds beat Canterbury Kings by 5 wickets 29 Feb 2024

WELL

328/5 in 91.2 3.59

OV

60/2 in 9.5 6.1

FT

Otago Volts beat Wellington Firebirds by 8 wickets 18 Feb 2024

WELL

57/10 in 22.3 2.53

WELL

285/8 in 50.0 5.7

FT

Auckland Aces beat Wellington Firebirds by 4 wickets 14 Feb 2024

AUCK

289/6 in 50.0 5.78

CD

L L W L L

CD

344/8 in 44.0 7.82

FT

Northern Districts beat Central Stags by 8 runs 23 Oct 2024

ND

352/8 in 44.0 8

CD

205/10 in 45.2 4.52

FT

Auckland Aces beat Central Stags by 39 runs

20 Oct 2024

AUCK

244/6 in 50.0 4.88

CD

580/10 in 169.3 3.42

PS

Central Stags won by an innings and 40 runs

24 Mar 2024

OV

0/0 in 0.0 0

CD

340/10 in 111.3 3.05

PS

Auckland Aces beat Central Stags by 41 runs 16 Mar 2024

AUCK

140/10 in 45.3 3.08

AUCK

247/5 in 48.5 5.06

FT

Auckland Aces beat Central Stags by 5 wickets 18 Feb 2024

CD

243/10 in 49.4 4.89

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Wellington Firebirds Preview

After finishing bottom of the group stages last season, Wellington have done very well to get the first victory out of the way. The team are now sitting on five points after the first two matches. It is an excellent start that the team will be hoping to build upon. After having never lost to Central Districts in the last two years, Wellington arrive into the game with positivity.

Tim Robinson made amends for the poor showing against Canterbury with a fine innings against Auckland. His 72 runs from just 95 balls were a crucial factor in leading the team to a win. Even though Wellington kept losing wickets at a regular pace, his late partnership with Nathan Smith, who managed 27 from 38 balls, turned out to be important. Robinson is now the leading scorer in the squad followed by Callum McLachlan, who has 36 runs.

On a pitch that rewarded bowlers, Wellington were able to witness a series of standout performances with Liam Dudding and Nick Greenwood being particularly hard to play against. Both managed two wickets each while also being very economical.

Wellington Firebirds Predicted Playing XI:

Tim Robinson, Nick Greenwood, Troy Johnson, Nick Kelly (c), Muhammad Abbas, Callum McLachlan, Nathan Smith, Peter Younghusband, Michael Snedden, Liam Dudding, Yahya Zeb

Wellington Firebirds Actual Playing XI:

Nick Greenwood, Tim Robinson, Muhammad Arslan Abbas, Nick Kelly, Peter Younghusband, Callum McLachlan, Liam Dudding, Adam Milne, Logan van Beek, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith

Central Stags Preview

Central Districts were unable to capitalise on a brilliant batting surface after losing by just eight runs. It was a game in which the team came rather close to an incredible chase after allowing Northern Districts to set a target of 353. Despite Curtis Heaphy’s early dismissal, Central Districts were able to get through Jack Boyle and Brad Schmulian. The duo managed 104 and 126 respectively to bring the team within a whisker of success.

The lack of contribution from the lower order was one of the reasons behind the loss. It was a similar case even against Auckland with William Clark only providing saving face for Central Districts in the lower order.

After a stellar performance against Auckland in the first match, Blair Tickner was able to add to his four wickets by finishing with figures of 3/59 in his nine overs. Raymond Toole and William Clark were the other key players. Even if Central Districts kept picking wickets at regular intervals, they were also thrashed around the park. Brett Randell and Josh Clarkson were particularly poor and Central Districts need to work on the form of these players.

Central Stags Predicted Playing XI:

Curtis Heaphy, Brad Schmulian, Jack Boyle, Tom Bruce, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, William Clark, Brett Randell, Blair Tickner, Jayden Lennox (c), Raymond Toole

Central Stags Actual Playing XI:

Jack Boyle, Brad Schmulian, William Clark, Tom Bruce, Josh Clarkson, Jayden Lennox, Dane Cleaver, Curtis Heaphy, Blair Tickner, Brett Randell, Raymond Toole

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The average score of 130 in the first match is likely to repeat itself at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Even though Central Districts are coming on the back of a match that produced 700+ runs, the wicket will be a lot different in the game. The weather in Wellington may also be tricky with hazy conditions expected and a maximum temperature of 16°C.

WELL vs CD Pitch Report

Basin Reserve will be hosting its second match of the Ford Trophy 2024-25 season. The game may not produce a lot of runs going by the tricky nature of the wicket in the first match. Wellington will be keen on getting their first home win of the season.

Toss: To Bowl

Central Districts have fielded first in both of their matches. Wellington found success when they were able to field first. Both teams will be looking to field first in this match. In the last match at Basin Reserve, the team that elected to field first won the game.