Central Stags vs Auckland Aces Preview & Prediction

Select the sports you want to hear about and TSZ will send the best previews, analysis and predictions straight to your inbox. Sign up today!

THE FACTS

When is Central Stags vs Auckland Aces taking place? Central Stags vs Auckland Aces will take place on Monday 27^th December, 2021 at 01:40 (UK)

Where is Central Stags vs Auckland Aces taking place? Central Stags vs Auckland Aces will take place at Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North

What is the expected weather for Central Stags vs Auckland Aces? 23c with a chance of light rain in the morning, but this should clear up before the scheduled hours of play

Where can I get tickets for Central Stags vs Auckland Aces? Click here to buy tickets for Central Stags vs Auckland Aces

What TV channel is Central Stags vs Auckland Aces on in the UK? Central Stags vs Auckland Aces will be televised live on BT Sport

Where can I stream Central Stags vs Auckland Aces? BT Sport subscribers can stream Central Stags vs Auckland Aces live on the BT Sport Player & app

THE TEAM NEWS

CENTRAL STAGS

• With three wins from their four Super Smash fixtures played so far, Central Stags find themselves in an excellent position heading into this encounter after most recently thrashing Otago Volts by 53 runs.
• The likelihood is that the Stags will not look to change things in terms of personnel for this match against Auckland, with bowler Seth Rance hoping he can build on his five-wicket-haul accrued against the Volts with saw him outshine his more recognised teammates such as Adam Milne and Doug Bracewell.

AUCKLAND ACES

• Auckland Aces come into this one on a high following their Christmas Eve victory over reigning champions Wellington Firebirds, whom they beat by 13 runs in Wellington thanks largely to an excellent bowling performance.
• Also impressive from an Aces perspective was how they management to accumulate a winning total with the bat despite star opening Martin Guptill being dismissed for just 4, which will have been a huge confidence booster for a batting order that had been underperforming.

THE PREDICTION

So far, Central Stags have proven to be one of the stand out sides in the Super Smash and are already looking like one of the teams who should be right in the mix come the business end of the campaign. With three scores of 180 or more across their four matches played, their batters have proven themselves as a formidable force and the Aces have a tough task here to match them. Combine that with the class of Milne with the ball alongside the form of Rance and Central Stags appear to have all bases covered going forward. Whilst Auckland Aces should provide a far sterner examination than Otago Volts, the quality and firepower of the Stags should see them through to a fourth Super Smash victory in this one.