Dream11 Super Smash T20 Squads, Prediction, Possible Playing 11, Schedule, Stats, Team Analysis

Dream11 Super Smash T20: The sixteenth edition of New Zealand’s premier T20 competition will get underway on December 24^th. In total 32 matches will be played across two months, with the final scheduled to be played on February 13^th. Due to the ongoing home series against Pakistan, several top New Zealand stars will miss the first few matches of the competition, but they are expected to be available for the majority of the tournament. Hence, this edition of Super Smash is expected to be an entertaining one. A total of six teams will participate in this league and the top three will play in the play-offs. The second and third-placed teams will play in an eliminator and the winner of that will face the table-toppers in the finals.

Here we look at a final preview of all six teams and top fantasy picks from each team.

Auckland Aces

Last Season Standings: 2nd
Best Performance in a season: Winners (2006-07, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2015-16)

Last season Stats

Wins/ Losses: 5/5
Leading run-getter: Martin Guptill (403 runs)
Highest wicket-taker: Ronnie Hira (14 Wickets)
Home record: 2/ 3
Away record: 3/2

Home Venue:

Eden Park Outer Oval

Avg. 1^st innings score: 159
Pitch assistance: A drop-in pitch is used in Outer Oval and it is expected to play slow.

Auckland Aces Squad: Graeme Beghin, Jamie Brown, Mark Chapman, Louis Delport, Danru Ferns, Ben Horne, Ben Lister, Matt McEwan, Colin Munro, Robbie O’Donnell, Ronnie Hira, Will O’Donnell, Glenn Phillips, Ollie Pringle, Sean Solia, Will Somerville, Ross ter Braak

Contracted New Zealand internationals: Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson

AA Playing 11 for the first match (likely): Martin Guptil, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Craig Cachopa(c), Robbie O’Donnell, Ronnie Hira, Ben Horne(wk), Kyle Jamieson, Will Somerville, Ben Lister

Top Fantasy Picks

Martin Guptill- He is one of the all-time T20 greats. He has scored 7374 runs from 258 T20s in his career. Moreover, he was the second leading run-scorer of the Super Smash with 403 runs.

Glenn Phillips- He is at his best ever form. He has scored 529 runs in 2020 alone at an impressive strike rate of 139.21. Overall, he has scored 2661 runs from 96 T20s in his career. With Guptill struggling for form right now, he is the Aces batsman to invest your money in.

Ronnie Hira- With 14 wickets to his name, he was the leading wicket-taker for Auckland Aces in the last season. His ability to contribute with the bat at the flag end of the innings at a fairly good strike rate makes him a valuable pick for any fantasy team.

Kyle Jamieson- With Lockie injured and McCleneghan traded, he is expected to be the leader of the Aces pace attack. He has 48 T20 wickets from 32 matches at an average of 19.77.

Team Analysis for fantasy cricket

Auckland Aces are batting heavy team. They have top-class T20 batsmen in their line-up right from the opening slot to the role of a finisher. Whereas their bowling is weakened a bit by the injury of Lockie Ferguson and by the trade of Mitchell McClenaghan. So it is better to invest heavily in the batsmen of Aces.

Taking into account the current form of the player and the value that they bring to this team, Ronnie Hira and Glenn Phillips are the most suitable captaincy options from Aces.

Canterbury Kings

Last Season Standings: 5th
Best Performance in a season: Winners (2005-06)

Last season Stats:

Wins/ Losses: 4/5
Leading run-getter: Chad Bowes (358 runs)
Highest wicket-taker: Cole McConchie and Will Williams (12 wickets)
Home record: 2/2
Away record: 2/3

Home Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Avg. 1^st innings score: 156
Pitch assistance: Hagley Oval is a small ground. Historically pacers have enjoyed more success on this pitch.

Canterbury Squad: Todd Astle, Chad Bowes, Jack Boyle, Leo Carter, Sean Davey, Cam Fletcher, Andrew Hazeldine, Tyler Lortan, Ken McClure, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Ed Nuttall, Fraser Sheat, Henry Shipley, Theo van Woerkom, Will Williams, Andrew Ellis, Stephen Murdoch

Contracted New Zealand internationals: Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls

CK Playing11 for first match (likely): Jack Boyle, Chad Bowes, Stephen Murdoch, Leo Carter, Cole McConchie, Cam Fletcher, Andrew Ellis, Henry Shipley, Will Williams, Todd Astle, Ed Nuttall

Top Fantasy Picks

Chad Bowes- He was the leading run-scorer for the Canterbury Kings in the last season with 358 runs. He averages 47.06 in 2020 at an outstanding strike rate of 178.75.

Daryl Mitchell- This kiwi all-rounder is one of the most valuable picks from Canterbury Kings. He has scored 218 runs and has picked up 10 wickets in the last season.

Todd Astle- He is one of the most experienced leg spinners in New Zealand cricket at the moment. He has 44 T20 wickets to his name at an impressive career economy of 7.08.

Cole McConchie- Their captain Cole McConchie is a valuable pick for fantasy teams. He was amongst the leading wicket takers in the last season. He picked up 12 wickets in the last season with an impressive economy of 6.74. With main international stars missing out, he will bat up the order in the first few matches as well.

Team Analysis for fantasy cricket

Daryl Mitchel who was drafted in from Knights ahead of this season is the best captaincy choice from Canterbury Kings. He won’t be available for the initial games owing to the national duty. Apart from him Chad Bowes is a good enough pick to gamble within the mega contests. Will Williams is an impressive pace bowler, he was mighty impressive in the last season. Altogether it is better to invest more in Canterbury bowlers than their batsmen.

Central Stags

Last Season Standings: 4th
Best Performance in a season: Winners (2007-08, 2009-10, 2018-19)

Last season Stats:

Wins/ Losses: 4/ 5
Leading run-getter: Dane Cleaver (278 runs)
Highest wicket-taker: Ajax Patel (15 wickets)
Home record: 2/ 3
Away record:  2/ 3

Home Venue:

McLean Park, Napier

Avg. 1^st innings score: 174
Pitch assistance: McLean Park is an ideal ground to bat on. The short square boundaries helps the batsman to score big. The new ball does a bit under the lights, so chasing is a bit difficult on this ground. And hence McLean Park is an ideal first batting venue.

Pukekura Park, New Plymouth

Avg. 1^st innings score: 178
Pitch assistance:  Small ground ideal for batting.

Central Stags Squad: Doug Bracewell, Tom Bruce, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Greg Hay, Jayden Lennox, Christian Leopard, Adam Milne, Seth Rance, Brad Schmulian, Ben Smith, Blair Tickner, Ray Toole, Ben Wheeler, Bayley Wiggins, George Worker

Contracted New Zealand internationals: Ajaz Patel, Ross Taylor, Will Young

CS Playing11 for first match (likely): George Worker, Dane Cleaver, Ross Taylor, Tom Bruce (C), Josh Clarkson, Noema-Barnett, Ajaz Patel, Willem Ludick, Seth Rance, Blair Tickner, Will Young.

Top Fantasy Picks

Blair Tickner- He is a seasoned T20 bowler. He has 67 wickets 44 matches at an economy of just over 8. Moreover he took 11 wickets in the last Super Smash.

Ross Taylor- This has to be the do-or die season for Ross Taylor, if he has to make a comeback to the national T20 set-up. He was dropped from the team ahead of the Pakistan series. So he will be counting on this Super Smash Season to catch the eye of the selectors once again. He has 6562 T20 runs from 268 innings at an average of 30.65.

Ajax Patel- Undoubtedly he is the most valuable pick from Central Stags. He was their leading wicket taker last year with 15 wickets to his name at an impressive economy of 7.41 from just 9 matches.

Team Analysis for fantasy cricket

Ajax Patel is the most ideal captaincy choice for fantasy leagues from Central Stags. Even though Ross Taylor may seem an obvious choice, he is right now struggling for form.

Northern Knights

Last Season Standings: 6^th
Best Performance in a season: Winners (2013-14, 2017-18)

Last season Stats:

Wins/ Losses: 4/ 5
Leading run-getter: Tim Seifert (323 runs)
Highest wicket-taker: Anurag Verma (14 wickets)
Home record: 3/ 1
Away record:  1/ 4

Home Venue:

Seddon Park, Hamilton

Avg. 1^st innings score: 165
Pitch assistance: It is a small ground, suitable for batting. The pitch also gives some assistance to pace bowlers.

Home Venue:

Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

Avg. 1^st innings score: 164
Pitch assistance: Bay Oval is also a high scoring ground. Pacers have enjoyed more success in this ground than spinners.

Northern Knights Squad: James Baker, Peter Bocock, Dean Brownlie, Joe Carter, Katene Clarke, Henry Cooper, Anton Devcich, Matthew Fisher, Zak Gibson, Brett Hampton, Scott Kuggeleijn, Brett Randell, Jeet Raval, Tim Seifert, Anurag Verma, Joe Walker

Contracted New Zealand internationals: Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson

NK Playing 11 for first match (likely): Anton Devcich, Tim Seifert (WK), Dean Brownlie (C), Brett Hampton, Peter Bocock, Joe Carter, Daniel Flynn, Scott Kuggeliejn, Ish Sodhi, Anurag Verma, Brett Randell.

Top Fantasy Picks

Tim Seifert- With 323 runs from just 8 innings at an average of 40.38 and an impressive strike rate of 143.56, he was a star performer in the last Super Smash. He has already cemented his place in the New Zealand T20I squad and impressed everyone with back to bath fifties against Pakistan. Considering the current form that he is in, he is someone to look forward to in this season.

Colin de Grandhomme- He is right now injured and s ruled out of the Pakistan series. But he is expected to make a return through the Super Smash by mid-January. He has so far score 3302 runs from 176 T20 appearances and has picked up 66 wickets. He also has a strike rate of 161.23. All these makes him an ideal captaincy pick from Knights when he return in mid-January.

Anurag Verma- This medium pacer picked up 14 wickets in the last season from just 10 matches at an average of 16.71.

Scott Kuggeleijn- He is right now in the best of his forms. He has picked up 27 T20 wickets from 22 matches in 2019-20 season. His ability to provide timely contributions with the bat makes him a must have in any fantasy teams. He possess a healthy strike rate of over 140 in Super Smash.

Team Analysis for fantasy cricket

Despite having many big names in the squad, the Knights are not expected to get the services of their top international stars. So from a fantasy cricket perspective it would be better to invest heavily in few of their best players namely Tim Seifert, Colin de Grandhomme, Scott Kuggeleijn and Ish Sodhi.

Otago Volts

Last Season Standings: 3^rd
Best Performance in a season: Winners (2008-09, 2012-13)

Last season Stats:

Wins/ Losses: 5/ 5
Leading run-getter: Nick Kelly (398 runs)
Highest wicket-taker: Nathan Smith (11 Wickets)
Home record: 3/ 2
Away record: 2/3

Home Venue:

University Oval, Dunedin

Avg. 1^st innings score: 162
Pitch assistance: It is a slow pitch which assists spinners.

Molyneux Park, Alexandra

Avg. 1^st innings score: 153
Pitch assistance: It is a also a slow pitch which assists spinners.

Otago Volts Squad: Matt Bacon, Neil Broom, Max Chu, Jacob Duffy, Josh Finnie, Dean Foxcroft, Camden Hawkins, Anaru Kitchen, Nick Kelly, Jarrod McKay, Dale Phillips, Hamish Rutherford, Mitch RenwicK, Michael Rippon, Michael Rae, Nathan Smith, Mitchel McCleneghan

OV Playing11 for first match (likely): Neil Broom, Hamish Rutherford, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Anaru Kitchen, Michael Rippon, Nathan Smith, Max Chu (WK), Mitchell McCleneghan, Jacob Duffy (C), Michael Rae.

Top Fantasy Picks

Nick Kelly- He is the top pick from Otago Volts. He was their leading run-scorer in the last season with 398 runs from 10 innings at an average of 44.22.

Neil Broom- Opener Neil Broom is the other batsman from Otago that has the capability to give you enough fantasy points. He scored 357runs from 11 matches in the last season at an average of 32.45.

Mitchel McCleneghan- This experienced T20 campaigner was drafted in from Auckland just before the start of this season. He has a wealth of experience from playing T20 cricket around the world like in IPL, CPL etc. He has played 189 T20 innings and has picked up 229 wickets.

Dean Foxcroft- He is one of the players to watch out for in this season. Batting in the middle order, he averages 41.46 and has scored 539 runs from just 18 appearances.

Jacob Duffy- He is part of the New Zealand squad for the home series against Pakistan. He has picked up 83 T20 wickets from just 64 matches at an economy of 8.71.

Team Analysis for fantasy cricket

Otago are a team to look forward to in this season. Even though they don’t have any big names in their line-up, they have got enough talented youngsters who are more than capable of providing match winning efforts. From fantasy cricket perspective it is better to invest heavily in their top three (Kelly, Broom and Rutherford). Foxcroft is a talented but not so famous player that may work wonders for you in mega contests.

Wellington Firebirds

Last Season Standings: 1^st
Best Performance in a season: Winners (2014-15, 2016-17, 2019-20)

Last season Stats:

Wins/ Losses: 7/ 4
Leading run-getter: Devon Conway (543 runs)
Highest wicket-taker: Hamish Bennett (17 Wickets)
Home record: 3/ 3
Away record: 4/ 1

Home Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington

Avg. 1^st innings score: 158
Pitch assistance: Basin Reserve is a paradise for fast bowlers.

Wellington Firebirds Squad: Finn Allen, Hamish Bennett, Jakob Bhula, Michael Bracewell, Fraser Colson, Andrew Fletcher, Jamie Gibson, Lauchie Johns, Troy Johnson, Iain McPeake, Ollie Newton, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Michael Snedden, Logan van Beek, Peter Younghusband,

Contracted New Zealand internationals: Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jimmy Neesham

WF Playing 11 for first match (likely): Devon Conway, Michael Pollard, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell (WK), Michael Bracewell (C), James Neesham, Fraser Colson, Peter Younghusband, Logan van Beek, Ollie Newton, Hamish Bennett.

Top Fantasy Picks

Devon Conway- He was the tar of New Zealand’s 2019 domestic season. He topped the batting charts in all competitions held in New Zealand last year. With 543 runs from 11 matches at an average of 67.88, he was the ‘Player of the Tournament’ of the last Super Smash.

Hamish Bennett- He topped the bowling charts last year with 17 wickets from 11 matches. His economy of 7.21 on these small grounds in New Zealand, makes his 2019 campaign even more special.

James Neesham- He is a sure captaincy candidate for matches involving Wellington. He averaged 45.80 last year and even picked up 9 wickets from 8 innings. Overall he has 1836 runs from 129 T20 matches, including 117 wickets.

Ollie Newton- He was the second leading wicket taker of the tournament last season with 16 wickets. He averaged 21.18 with the ball and has an economy of just over 8.

Team Analysis for fantasy cricket

Wellington are a strong team and are expected to retain their title if all their players perform as well as last year. As for fantasy cricket, it is better to pick both their main bowlers- Newton and Bennett along with Neesham and Conway for all their matches.

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