Northern Brave vs Central Stags Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Northern Brave vs Central Stags taking place? Northern Brave vs Central Stags will take place on Friday 14^th January, 2022 at 05:40 (UK)

Where is Northern Brave vs Central Stags taking place? Northern Brave vs Central Stags will take place at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui

What is the expected weather for Northern Brave vs Central Stags? 21-22c with sunshine and a gentle breeze

Where can I get tickets for Northern Brave vs Central Stags? Click here to buy tickets for Northern Brave vs Central Stags

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

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

THE TEAM NEWS

NORTHERN BRAVE

• Northern Brave face a rematch against Central Stags, over two weeks since their last encounter, which saw the Brave emerge victorious, their fourth straight Super Smash victory of the campaign.
• With the Brave full of momentum following their recent win, it would be no surprise if they were to name the same team that beat the Stags in late December.

CENTRAL STAGS

• Central Stags will have been hugely frustrated at failing to defend a total of 227 against Wellington Firebirds last Saturday, the reigning champions ultimately winning with one ball remaining and need to bounce back in this one.
• Batter Greg Hay is likely to miss out here due to a fractured thumb, but Dane Cleaver is expected to return for the Stags with the birth of his first child having seen him not play in his side’s loss against the Firebirds.

THE PREDICTION

Although the Central Stags have racked up scores of over 200 in successive Super Smash fixtures, the fact that they then went on to lose both of those games says it all about how their bowling has failed to keep a lid on their opponents. This bodes well for Northern Brave, who have been largely relying on their own bowling unit to lay the foundations for their recent good run of form. The likelihood is that the Northern Brave will be able to comfortably navigate the Stags' bowling as they did the last time the two sides collided, ultimately leading to the Brave emerging victorious.