Super Smash 2016-17 final gets underway

The Auckland Aces are batting first at the Eden Park Outer Oval, after winning the toss in their crucial final round clash against unassailable McDonald’s Super Smash leaders the Central Stags. The second placed hosts have it all to play for with victory securing them a home Elimination Final on Thursday, while a heavy loss could see them slip down the ladder. 17-year-old batsman Finn Allen has been named to debut for the Aces and will become the youngest player to play for Auckland since the late Martin Crowe. At the Basin Reserve, the Wellingron Firebirds are desparetly waiting on the weather to clear, so they can try and push for a finals spot against the Otago Volts.

Rain has so far prevented a toss being made in the match which was scheduled for a 2pm start, the latest time the game can begin is 4.40pm. Victory for the Firebirds would see them leapfrog the Canterbury Kings into third place on net run rate and secure a spot in the Elimination Final.

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AUCKLAND ACES: GD Phillips (wk), RJ Nicol (c), JA Raval, FH Allen, SM Solia, MJ Barry, S Hicks, BJ Horne, DJ Grobbelaar, TS Nethula, TS Mills, ML Guptill-Bunce (12th).

CENTRAL STAGS: GH Worker, DPMD Jayawardene, JD Ryder, WA Young (c), D Cleaver (wk), JA Clarkson, MO Kain, RJ McCone, SHA Rance, LW Feldman, AY Patel, BM Tickner (12th).