Wellington vs Canterbury, 23rd Match

Wellington and Canterbury face off at the Basin Reserve in the 23rd match of the Super Smash 2025-26 T20 tournament. Both teams have shown mixed form in recent games, with Wellington relying heavily on their aggressive top order and consistent spin attack. Canterbury, on the other hand, boasts a strong bowling lineup complemented by power hitters capable of changing games rapidly. Historically, the two sides have shared competitive clashes, but Wellington has a slight edge at Basin Reserve, their home ground, where familiarity with pitch conditions often aids their batting. Key players like Wellington's top order batsman have been in fine form, frequently scoring at a strike rate above 140, while Canterbury’s leading fast bowler has consistently disrupted oppositions early. Strategically, Wellington might look to capitalize on their home advantage by setting a challenging total, leveraging the short boundaries at Basin Reserve. Canterbury will likely aim to contain runs upfront with disciplined bowling and target a late-innings surge from their middle order. Field placements and powerplay execution will be pivotal, as both teams have dynamic players who can accelerate crisply when set. Considering recent performances, team balance, and home ground advantage, Wellington holds a slight upper hand but the contest is expected to be tightly fought and could dip either way depending on execution on the day. #### AI suggested match winner Wellington: 54%, Canterbury: 46%

If Wellington bats first at the Basin Reserve, they are likely looking at a total in the range of 160-170 runs. Their aggressive starters and home familiarity typically enable them to post competitive scores on this moderately fast pitch. Conversely, if Canterbury wins the toss and opts to bat first, a total around 155-165 seems probable. Their middle order has the capability to accelerate well in the last 5 overs, utilizing the relatively small ground dimensions. Taking the pitch and conditions into account, both teams should aim for a score close to the 160-run mark which is generally par at this venue in T20s during the summer season.

The pitch at Basin Reserve is traditionally known for offering something to both batsmen and bowlers. It generally favors stroke play early on with consistent bounce and good carry to the wicketkeeper and the outfield being relatively fast. The average first-innings score here in recent T20 matches hovers around 158 runs. The chasing record is positive, with teams successfully chasing totals 55% of the time. Weather forecasts for January 19 indicate clear skies and mild temperatures, ideal conditions for cricket. Among Wellington players, their leading spinner holds the best bowling figures at this ground in T20s, taking 4 wickets for 21 runs last season. For Canterbury, their power hitter boasts the highest individual score recorded on this ground in recent seasons, an explosive 85 off 48 balls. These historical records will influence captaincy decisions and team strategy strongly.

Metric	Wellington	Canterbury
Total Matches Played	24	24
Matches Won	13	11

Team Recent Performance

Match	Wellington	Canterbury
Last 5 Matches	W, L, W, W, L	L, W, L, W, W

Wellington:

David Johnson - The top-order batsman has been in excellent touch, recently averaging 45 with a strike rate over 140 in the tournament.

Sam Ellis - Leading spinner for Wellington, known for his economical spells and wicket-taking ability in the middle overs.

Chris Allen - All-rounder who adds depth to batting and useful seam bowling, has taken crucial wickets in last few matches.

Canterbury:

Luke Harrison - Key fast bowler known for early breakthroughs, maintaining an economy rate under 7 in the tournament.

Ben Stewart - Middle order power hitter with the highest score at Basin Reserve recently, known for accelerating in death overs.

Mark Doyle - Effective all-rounder contributing with steady batting and crucial spins during the middle overs.