2020-21 Super Smash – Central Stags vs Canterbury Kings Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Central Stags vs Canterbury Kings taking place? Friday 5th February, 2021 – 06:10 (UK)
Where is Central Stags vs Canterbury Kings taking place? McLean Park, Napier
Where can I get tickets for Central Stags vs Canterbury Kings? Ticket information for the Dream11 Super Smash can be found here
What channel is Central Stags vs Canterbury Kings on? This match will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream Central Stags vs Canterbury Kings? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE LOWDOWN
CENTRAL STAGS
- The Central Stags are all but confirmed to make the knockout phase but there is always the risk of a major run rate swing if they lose here and the Northern Knights win on Saturday so they will be keen to get a win here.
- Added to the motivation of sealing their place in the Eliminator, the Stags will know that they will face the Canterbury Kings in that game too so they will be just as eager to get the win in order to claim bragging rights and claim some confidence.
- The Stags have named an unchanged squad for this game and the team is pretty settled overall although they will be desperately hoping veteran Ross Taylor can finally find some form after he was out for a duck last time out.
CANTERBURY KINGS
- After two defeats in a row, Canterbury Kings got back to winning ways last time out as they overcame the Otago Volts by six wickets with an over to spare as they chased down their opponents’ 162/5.
- While the batting has not exactly been their strength throughout this Super Smash campaign, it was one of their best run chases and skipper Cole McConchie hit an unbeaten 50 from 36 balls to lead them to victory.
- Their squad is equally as settled as they have few options to rotate but they will be looking for the likes of Astle, Henry and Mitchell to cause the Stags problems with what is a talented bowling unit.
THE PREDICTION
These two teams are relatively well matched as they look almost certain to finish second and third which will mean they should meet in the knockout Eliminator. They have met once already in this edition of the Super Smash and it was the Stags who got the better of the Kings by 18 runs after posting 186 batting first. They have the clear edge in batting although the Kings just edge the bowling so it will be interesting to see which unit gets the better of the other here. The Stags’ batsmen did last time and they are marginally favoured to do so again with home advantage.
