Kerr, Devine’s absence will put pressure on Kasperek

Wellington spinner Xara Jetly fields the ball during the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield match against Canterbury at the Basin Reserve this month. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Two one-day national champions will be crowned this weekend. Cricket writer Adrian Seconi is predicting wins for the Otago Sparks and Freddy Krueger.

Dunedin, Sunday, 10.30am

OTAGO v WELLINGTON

Record

Otago won 6, lost 3, 1 abandoned

Wellington won 7, lost 3

Head to head

Otago won by 7 wkts on Nov 18

Wellington won by 22 runs on Nov 19

— Both games were at the Basin Reserve

Statistical leaders

Wellington opener Jess McFadyen has swatted 326 runs at an average of 40.75 and is the leading scorer in the competition, while team-mate Leigh Kasperek has taken 17 wickets and scored 277 runs.

Otago swing bowler Emma Black is the leading wicket-taker. She has claimed 21 wickets at an average of 11.76. Keeper Polly Inglis (289 runs at 48.17) has been the most productive of the Sparks batters.

Key players

The Sparks have shown they can win games without Suzie Bates, but they are a much stronger side when the veteran takes her spot at the top of the batting order. In the 2013-14 final, she claimed a hat-trick and scored 99.

Kasperek is two players in one. She will have to carry a heavy load in the absence of Melie Kerr and Sophie Devine.

Form

It does not sit quite right. Wellington have one more win than Otago but they have to travel south to play the final because the Sparks collected six bonus points from their six wins and edged Wellington by a single point at the top of the standings. That said, the two best teams are in the final.

Prediction

Otago should have an edge.

Canterbury opener Chad Bowes plays a hook shot during a Ford Trophy match against Wellington at Basin Reserve late last year. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Hagley Oval, tomorrow, 10.30am

CANTERBURY v AUCKLAND

Record

Canterbury won 5, lost 3, 1 no result, 1 abandoned

Auckland won 6, lost 4, beat Otago in preliminary final

Head to head

Canterbury won by 119 runs at Eden Park Outer Oval on Feb 6

Auckland won by 5 wkts at Hagley Oval on Dec 3

Statistical leaders

Aces batter Robbie O’Donnell (561 runs at 62.33) has notched two centuries during the campaign, including a knock of 104 in the preliminary final against Otago. He is the only player to score more than 400 runs this season.

Canterbury’s Zak Foulkes and Auckland’s Danru Ferns have taken 15 wickets apiece. Foulkes has a much better average (21.13) and economy rate (4.61), though.

Key players

Black Caps discards Henry Nicholls and Martin Guptill will lock horns. Nicholls has posted almost 300 runs in just five games and is averaging 98.33 at a strike rate of 93.95. The left-hander will be a key wicket for Auckland.

Likewise, Canterbury will be hoping to see the back of fellow opener Guptill quickly. He picked up a calf injury against Otago, so it is unclear whether he will play. But he was in trademark form. Plenty of lofted drives down the ground which are beautiful to watch unless you are the bowler.

Form

Auckland won more games during the round robin and have strung together three consecutive wins. They like to chase.

Canterbury lost three in a row last year but have crushed everyone since a 55-run loss to Wellington at the Basin Reserve on December 7.

Prediction

It is Darth Vader versus Freddy Krueger. Who cares?