Who’s got the goods to be Super Smash champs?

Tom Bruce has been in top form for Central Districts this season, but can he fire when it counts...
Tom Bruce has been in top form for Central Districts this season, but can he fire when it counts in the big game? Photo: Getty Images
The Central Stags are through to tomorrow’s Super Smash final at the Basin Reserve. The Northern Brave and Canterbury King’s will playoff today for the right to join them. Cricket writer Adrian Seconi takes a look at the match-ups.

Men’s elimination final

Brave v Kings, 4.25pm, Wellington

Northern Brave: Josh Brown, Joe Carter, Katene Clarke, Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Rohit Gulati, Brett Hampton, Fergus Lellman, Robbie O’Donnell, Ben Pomare, Jeet Raval (captain), Fred Walker, Neil Wagner.

Canterbury Kings: Chad Bowes, Matt Boyle, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Michael Rae, Michael Rippon, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi.

Head-to-head

Kings beat the Brave by 56 runs at home and by 23 runs in Hamilton.

Form

The Kings loss their opening three games but have struck some strong form in the run-in to the playoffs. Their recent win against the Brave underlined just how deadly their bowling attack can be.

The Brave had a couple of games rained off at the back end of the competition, so it is a bit hard to know how they are tracking.

Key players

Brave opener Katene Clarke clobbered a maiden century in the format. His 106 from 65 balls against Otago will not have gone unnoticed by Canterbury. The other KD Clarke — Kristian — has been the biggest threat with the ball for the 2022-23 champions.

The Kings have a proven match-winner in Chad Bowes. But top order batter Matt Boyle is the leading scorer in the competition (327 runs at 40.88) and is another to watch.

Their biggest strength, though, is a world-class bowling lineup, which includes Black Caps Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke and a-fit-again Kyle Jamieson.

Prediction:

The Kings to reign supreme.

Men’s final

Central Stags v elimination final winner, tomorrow, 4.25pm, Wellington

Central Stags (possible): Tom Bruce, Jack Boyle, Will Clark, Dane Cleaver, Joey Field, Toby Findlay, Curtis Heaphy, Jayden Lennox, Brett Randell, Angus Schaw, Blair Tickner, Ray Toole, Will Young.

Form

The Stags have been the most consistent side in the competition with six wins and two losses from eight completed games. They looked vulnerable against the Kings at Hagley Oval on Sunday, but were saved by the rain.

Key players:

Skipper Tom Bruce has bullied 325 runs at an average of 65 and strike rate of 164.14. He is just so destructive, and unlucky not to have played more T20 at an international level. Fast bowler Blair Tickner (15 at 19.27) is the leading wicket-taker in the competition and another key cog in the lineup.

Prediction:

Destined to lose to the Kings.

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