2020-21 Super Smash Final – Wellington Firebirds vs Canterbury Kings Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Wellington Firebirds vs Canterbury Kings taking place? Saturday 13th February, 2021 – 03:00 (UK)
Where is Wellington Firebirds vs Canterbury Kings taking place? Basin Reserve, Wellington
Where can I get tickets for Wellington Firebirds vs Canterbury Kings? Ticket information for the Dream11 Super Smash can be found here
What channel is Wellington Firebirds vs Canterbury Kings on? This match will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream Wellington Firebirds vs Canterbury Kings? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE LOWDOWN
WELLINGTON FIREBIRDS
- The Wellington Firebirds are looking to win back-to-back editions of the Super Smash trophy and match the feat achieved by Auckland Aces in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 campaigns with a win against the Canterbury Kings here.
- Their form in the group was outstanding as they won nine of their ten games but their only defeat came at the hands of the Kings so they will not be underestimating their opponents coming into this final.
- They have a full-strength squad at their disposal for this game and they have brought back young pace bowler Ben Sears into the squad although the likelihood is that they go unchanged from the side that eased to victory over Auckland Aces last week.
CANTERBURY KINGS
- Canterbury Kings overcame the odds and the Central Stags as they won the preliminary final in midweek and now face the formidable Wellington Firebirds although they can be confident in the knowledge they are the only team to have beaten the defending champions.
- They will take great confidence from those two factors and will relish underdog status but they will have to be at their very best if they are to win the tournament against such a strong opponent.
- While they will likely name an unchanged line-up from the team that beat the Stags, they will know they cannot rely on heroics from a couple of individuals as Daryl Mitchell and Cam Fletcher produced in midweek so more will have to step up here.
THE PREDICTION
The Super Smash final sees the dominant Wellington Firebirds face off against the Canterbury Kings who are the only team to have beaten them so far this campaign. The Firebirds have the quality and experience in their ranks that rightly makes them favourites but they Kings will not be phased by the task at hand. They have some matchwinners in their team with Mitchell, McConchie, Fletcher, Henry and Astle playing some good cricket right now. Ultimately though, their weakness at the top of their batting order does leave them vulnerable and it is hard to the Firebirds letting them off the hook here. The Firebirds’ strength is at the top of the order and the likes of Conway and Allen can lay the platform for another success here. Marginal preference has to go with the Wellington Firebirds to lift the trophy.
