The Knights will be eager to go for a second consecutive title in what will be a showdown of the 2017-18 Super Smash Final. The Stags, on the other hand will look to avenge their defeat from last time and will go into the finals with the confidence of having won five of their last seven matches. The Knights on the other hand have been defeated in their last two matches, but they will have the home advantage in their favour.
They have won all three games that have been played at the Seddon Park this year and will be raring to go once again. The home team will also be bolstered by the return of Ish Sodhi, Tim Seifert and Scott Kuggeleijn, while the Central Districts will heave a sigh of relief after Blair Tickner has been ruled fit for the crucial game. The hosts have an impressive record at Hamilton and have the experience of performing under pressure, which gives them an edge in the finals.
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Wicket-keeper: Tim Seifert (8.5 credits)
The Kiwi wicket-keeper looked comfortable in the T20Is against India and will look to continue his form for the Northern Knights in the summit clash. Seifert had also smashed a fifty against the Central Stags at the Bay Oval last season, which will give him confidence to go all out against the rivals in the all-important game. The player is known for his attacking instinct at the top of the order, and if he is
The Knights will be eager to go for a second consecutive title in what will be a showdown of the 2017-18 Super Smash Final. The Stags, on the other hand will look to avenge their defeat from last time and will go into the finals with the confidence of having won five of their last seven matches. The Knights on the other hand have been defeated in their last two matches, but they will have the home advantage in their favour.
They have won all three games that have been played at the Seddon Park this year and will be raring to go once again. The home team will also be bolstered by the return of Ish Sodhi, Tim Seifert and Scott Kuggeleijn, while the Central Districts will heave a sigh of relief after Blair Tickner has been ruled fit for the crucial game. The hosts have an impressive record at Hamilton and have the experience of performing under pressure, which gives them an edge in the finals.
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Wicket-keeper: Tim Seifert (8.5 credits)
The Kiwi wicket-keeper looked comfortable in the T20Is against India and will look to continue his form for the Northern Knights in the summit clash. Seifert had also smashed a fifty against the Central Stags at the Bay Oval last season, which will give him confidence to go all out against the rivals in the all-important game. The player is known for his attacking instinct at the top of the order, and if he is able to stick around for the first six overs, he is sure to earn some vital points.
Batsman: Tom Bruce (9.5 credits)
Tom Bruce has been one of the best batsmen for Central Stags this year and is among the leading run-scorers this edition with 343 runs. He had smashed an unbeaten 88 against the same rivals earlier in the competition, and he will be expected to hold the batting unit together for the Central side once again.
All-rounder: Daryl Mitchell (9.5 credits)
Mitchell is among the tournament's top five run-scorers with the bat, with 318 runs to his name in 9 innings with a strike-rate of 140. He had smashed a brilliant fifty the last time the Knights met the Central Districts and he will be expected to replicate his heroics once again. He can be a handy bowler as well, and even if he will not be among the wickets, Mitchell is known for bowling economically, which increases the pressure on the rival sides. He has picked up 5 wickets thus far, and has managed to bowl at an economy rate of 7.80.
Bowler: Blair Tickner (9 credits)
There was a huge possibility that Tickner could have missed the finals after he sprained his ankle. However, he is fit and that would give the Central Districts a massive boost. Tickner is the team's most successful bowler, picking up 15 wickets in 8 innings with best figures of 3 for 15. Though his economy-rate is over 8, he has been bowling with an average of 16.26, and in this format, wickets count for more than the runs that are conceded. In a pressure game, the manner in which Tickner holds his nerves will be vital for his side's success.
Captain: Daryl Mitchell
Vice-captain: Blair Tickner
Predicted Playing XIs:
Northern Knights: Nick Kelly, Neil Wagner, Corey Anderson, Dean Brownlie (c), Kyle Abbott, Brett Hampton, Tim Seifert (wk), Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, M Santner, Tim Southee
Central Districts: Tom Bruce (c), Will Young, Seth Rance, George Worker, Dean Foxcroft, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Dane Cleaver (wk), Doug Bracewell, Blair Tickner, Ben Wheeler, Ajaz Patel
