Kings playing for spot in Super Smash grand final

Jack Boyle is hoping to make an impact in the Dream 11 Super Smash elimination final on Thursday....
Jack Boyle is hoping to make an impact in the Dream 11 Super Smash elimination final on Thursday. Photo: Getty Images
The Canterbury Kings can book a spot in the grand final tomorrow when they face the Central Stags at Eden Park in the Dream 11 Super Smash elimination final.

The teams will meet on neutral territory after the Hearts won hosting rights by finishing second on the women’s Dream 11 Super Smash ladder.

The Canterbury Magicians have already secured their spot in the grand final after the Auckland Hearts upset the Blaze three days ago.

The Kings are embarking on a finals journey for the first time since the 2015/16 season. They hope to make it ‘third time lucky’ over the Central Stags, who enter the match with 2-0 bragging rights in the round robin stage.

Peter Fulton. Photo: Getty Images
Peter Fulton. Photo: Getty Images
Said Kings head coach Peter Fulton: “I’m thrilled for the guys to play some finals cricket.

"It’s been a long time between finals, but the team has put in a lot of work to get this far and I know they’ll make the most of the opportunity ahead.

"We’ve played some great cricket this tournament and I’m confident we can beat any team on the day”.

Fulton put their success down to the fact the squad has remained relatively unchanged for most of the season.

"We’ve only used 14 or so players for the whole campaign, so it’s been great to have a settled team," he said.

"It’s given the guys confidence around selection and allowed them to play their natural game."

Henry Shipley makes the 13-man squad for the first time this season. Photo: Getty Images
Henry Shipley makes the 13-man squad for the first time this season. Photo: Getty Images
Henry Shipley makes the 13-man squad for the first time this season and will provide an additional middle-order batting option, should he make the playing XI.

The 24-year-old all-rounder has been out for a majority of the season due to a stress fracture in his back, but is slowly making a return to professional cricket after representing Canterbury Country and Canterbury ‘A’ in recent fixtures.

Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls were unavailable for selection due to injury, but are likely to return for Canterbury later this month in the Ford Trophy.

The Dream 11 Super Smash elimination final is on Thursday, February 11 at Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland.

Canterbury Kings v Central Stags - noon
Auckland Hearts v Wellington Blaze - 4.10pm

Kings squad:

Cole McConchie (c)
Todd Astle
Chad Bowes
Jack Boyle
Leo Carter
Sean Davey
Cam Fletcher (wk)
Matt Henry
Ken McClure
Daryl Mitchell
Ed Nuttall
Henry Shipley
Will Williams