AUK vs OTG Dream11 Match Prediction, Plunket Shield, Auckland vs Otago, 20 October

AUK vs OTG Dream11: The 3rd match of the Plunket Shield 2020 will be played between Auckland and Otago at Eden Park Outer Oval in Auckland. Both teams will be looking to start off their season on a winning note which will give them the confidence for the rest of the tournament. Wellington were declared the champions of the last season of the competition after the last 2 rounds of the tournament were cancelled due to the Covid-19. Both Auckland and Otago finished with 2 wins and 1 loss each. They faced each other in the last season where the match was drawn and Auckland collected 8 points as compared to Otago’s 4 because of the first innings lead. With the tournament being a low key affair this time around and teams strictly in the bio secure bubble, both Auckland and Otago will look to start off the new season on a positive note.

AUK vs OTG Dream11 Teams Match details

Fixture name: Auckland vs Otago
Competition: Plunket Shield 2020
Date: 19 October 2020
Time: 3 AM IST
Ground: Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland

Brief score of the last result at the venue: Auckland 351/5d & 374/9 beat Northern Districts 438 & 283 by 1 wicket.

AUK vs OTG Dream11 Prediction, Team News, Playing 11

Head Coach Heinrich Malan has named a familiar Auckland ACES squad for the Plunket Shield opener against the Otago Volts at Eden Park’s Outer Oval.

Robert O’Donnell will again lead the side with wicketkeeper Ben Horne stepping up as his deputy, while all-rounder Ollie Pringle joins the squad for the first time. Pringle, 28, has been taking it all in since signing his first Domestic Contract. O’Donnell said his side are raring to go and knows the Volts will be hungry for a first-up win. The ACES are boosted by the availability of BLACKCAPS Martin Guptill and Kyle Jamieson, while Lockie Ferguson remains with the Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL.

On the other hand, Otago are going with an experienced squad too. Their skipper Jacob Duffy was highly impressive last season and was on top of the highest wicket-takers list. While they will look forward to the experience of Anaru Kitchen and Neil Broom in the batting order, there is also the young Dean Foxcroft who is rated quite high because of his white-ball exploits in the domestic competitions in NZ. Nick Kelly in the middle order gives them the much needed left-hand option. They also have the rare chinaman option of Michael Rippon who has also impressed with his batting. They look a well-balanced side that could surprise any side on their day.

Pitch Report

The pitch is expected to be a fresh one and cloudy weather is expected over the course of the match. There are chances of rain on the last two days. Both the teams have a potent seam bowling attack, so team winning the toss is highly likely to field first in the favorable conditions. The last match played at this venue produced a high scoring contest which went to the wire. Auckland won the match by the barest of margins despite conceding the first innings lead. But it’s the first match of the season this time around and the pitch is expected to be a fresh one for the fast bowlers. So pick your AUK vs OTG Dream11 team accordingly.

AUK vs OTG Dream11 Playing 11
AUK Playing 11 (probable)
Graeme Beghin
Martin Guptill
Glenn Phillips
Mark Chapman
Robert O’Donnell (c­)
Sean Solia
Ben Horne (wk)
Will Somerville
Ollie Pringle
Kyle Jamieson
Ben Lister

OTG Playing 11 (probable)
Anaru Kitchen
Hamish Rutherford
Dean Foxcroft
Neil Broom
Matthew Bacon
Nick Kelly
Mitch Renwick (wk)
Nathan Smith
Michael Rippon
Jacob Duffy (C)
Michael Rae

AUK vs OTG Dream11 Expert Picks

Glenn Phillips- Phillips is a highly rated batsman in New Zealand. He has played in the leagues all over the world and has a worth of experience. Combine that with his talent and skill, he is someone who can score big runs at the top. He is just 23 and averages around 40 in the first-class cricket. He has a test cap to his name too. In difficult conditions for batting, he can be someone who can be trusted to score big runs in this AUK vs OTG today match prediction.

Neil Broom- He has been around the NZ cricket circuit for some time now. He has the ability to get big scores and can play both the spinners and pacers equally well. He can be counter-attacking and at the age of 36, Otago will look upon his experience to carry the team home.

Kyle Jamieson- The 6 feet six inches tall fast bowler swings the ball both ways and is extremely dangerous in swinging conditions. He made a dream test debut against India picking up 9 wickets in just 2 matches earlier in the year. The conditions are highly likely to favor fast bowling. This makes Jamieson a dangerous bowler in the match.

Jacob Duffy- The skipper of Otago was the highest wicket-taker last season when he picked up 22 wickets at an average of just under 23. In seaming conditions, he would like to lead his team from the front and challenge a strong batting order of the opposition.

Differential Picks

Martin Guptill- The established NZ white-ball opener is yet to establish himself in the red ball arena. We all know what kind of talent he possesses with the bat at the top of the order. If he gets going, he has the ability to single-handedly win the game for his side. He scored a brilliant century when these two teams met the last time.

Michael Rippon- The chinaman bowler is a genuine wicket-taker and has a deceptive googly too. He is experienced and in the middle overs, he can give his captains some crucial wickets and also has the ability to score runs in the lower middle order.

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