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Although this tournament is still only three games into the season, it already looks like it will be another quality Super Smash game. With only six teams competing, New Zealand’s premier T20 competition does not compromise on quality and anyone who performs well is likely to catch the eye of the national selectors.

With this being the final match before a three-day break and the Christmas break already in full swing, we can expect a big crowd at Basin Reserve on Sunday.

International players will be on display and spectators may be in for a tough competition!

Wellington Firebirds Preview

The Firebirds posted a massive 234/5 against the Otago Volts as Tim Robinson smashed a stunning 139 runs off 64 balls at the top of the order. He was well supported by skipper Nick Kelly who hit six fours in 48 runs off 34 balls. Not a bad return for a team that also lost opener Nick Greenwood for a golden duck off the third ball of the day.

Defending a target of 235 to win is something all T20 bowling attacks dream of, so the Wellington Firebirds bowlers may have to work a little harder to claim their prizes in this game! Peter Younghusband and Ian McPeek will both look to build on their tally of wickets from Sunday’s opener.

Wellington Firebirds expected to play XI:

Tim Robinson, Nick Greenwood, Nick Kelly (c), Mohammed Abbas, Jesse Tashkov, Nathan Smith, Callum MacLachlan (wk), Logan van Beek, Peter Younghusband, Michael Snedden, Ian McPeek.

Oakland Aces preview

It was a classic performance for the New Zealand team from the Auckland Aces with the bat against the Canterbury Kings with four of their top six making scores between 24 and 54. Any T20 team in the world with Martin Guptill opening the batting knows they are going to get some quickfire runs more often than not and they have He made 47 off 29 balls in the first match. Besides Guptill, skipper Robert O’Donnell, Finn Allen and James Neesham are other winners in the team in this match.

Sean Solia was the only Aces bowler to go wicketless against the Canterbury Kings as Danru Ferns and Neesham each took three wickets. New Zealand international Ben Lister did well with the new ball and will be difficult to face again in this match.

Auckland Aces Predicted Playing XI:

Finn Allen, Martin Guptill, Sean Solea, Robert O’Donnell (c), James Neesham, Cam Fletcher (wk), Ryan Harrison, Danro Ferns, Lewis Delport, Niketh Pereira, Ben Lister

Weather conditions

Rain is expected on Sunday evening but the game should be complete by the time it arrives. Instead, players can expect very cloudy and humid conditions during both rounds of this match.

Location details

The average score at Basin Reserve has been steady at 159 over the past three years making the Wellington Firebirds’ total score of 234/5 even more impressive. The ball will be moving in the air in this game and the even score will likely be no more than 180.

Toss: To the bat

Both teams have won from batting first in their opening matches, so we expect both the Firebirds and Aces to choose to bat first if they win the toss in Wellington on Christmas Eve.