2022/23 Super Smash: Otago vs Northern Elimination Final Preview
Canterbury and Otago stormed up the Super Smash ladder with four wins in their last five games, putting Canterbury straight into the big donnie final while Otago host Northern. Northern had the most no-results in the men's Super Smash with three and had to defeat Central last Friday to qualify for the elimination final. Unfortunately for Central and Wellington, they both lost four of the last five games to slip out of the finals mix.
Otago have the MVP in Dean Foxcroft. After drifting in the pandemic abyss for a few years, Foxcroft returned to the Aotearoa domestic cricket circuit and is 1st for Super Smash runs, 12th for wickets via his off-spin. Foxcroft’s T20 batting average of 44 is ranked 3rd for all T20 batters around the world, ever (Devon Conway is 7th).
Foxcroft is joined by Canterbury's Chad Bowes in being the only batters with 300+ runs and the Otago all-rounder is ranked 4th for Super Smash spinners. Foxcroft's batting mahi has been boosted by Jake Gibson who was promoted to open in recent games and he snapped up his opportunity; 30 (150sr), 96 (152sr) and 75* (156sr).
Gibson and Foxcroft are Otago's only batters with 200+ runs, both scoring with strike-rates over 120. Gibson's promotion and form heading into finals could be a key factor for Otago, especially as it eases the pressure on Foxcroft. Otago have Hamish Rutherford (134sr) along with youngsters Llew Johnson (124sr) and Ben Lockrose (192sr) to provide hitting throughout their innings.
Defending champions Northern have a solid batting unit with openers Katene Clarke and Tim Seifert both operating over 120sr. Jeet Raval is a classy T20 player and leader for Northern, who has quietly taken his 112sr from last year's championship run up to 130sr this season. Add Joe Carter, Henry Cooper and the all-rounders down the order for a typically well-rounded Northern batting unit.
Otago have two of the best Super Smash seamers in Michael Rae (16w @ 14.5avg/8.38rpo) and Matthew Bacon (11w @ 23.54avg/8rpo). Lockrose has bowled the most overs for Otago with his spin, which could be boosted if Michael Rippon plays for Otago.
Otago have three notable bowlers operating below 8rpo, while Northern have one notable bowler operating over 8rpo. Three Northern bowlers have snuck under 7rpo with Neil Wagner, Scott Kuggeleijn and Tim Pringle all taking 5+ wickets while conceding less than 6.5rpo. Wagner last played Super Smash in 2018/19 and he offers value to Northern, but we don't know about his availability yet. Northern can either roll with a spin heavy attack or inject Kristian Clarke for extra seam.
The Walker brothers haven't been sizzling this season, but they form a tricky trio with Dutch international Pringle. Perhaps Mitchell Santner pops back into Super Smash and if so, he will probably take the spot of lefty-tweaker Freddie Walker. Northern can play four spinners if Santner's in the mix; Santner and Brett Hampton are capable batters, leaving Wagner and Kuggeleijn as the straight up seamers.
Santner casually whacked 48 runs @ 145sr and took 4w @ 19avg/6.9rpo in his three games prior to Blackcaps duty. In last season’s final, Santner hit 92 runs @ 230sr against Canterbury. Santner averaged 52.6 with the bat and 15 with the ball. Northern have championship pedigree throughout their squad and a few Blackcaps baggies they can dip into. Otago have the MVP in Foxcroft and have enough funky depth to defeat Northern. Enjoy.
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