Check out all the previous stats and AI predictive form guide for match number 23: Wellington Firebirds vs Canterbury Kings, to be played on 19 January 2026 at Basin Reserve, Wellington.
Points table
Match details:
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026.
Location: Cuenca Reserve, Wellington.
Start time: 03:25 am GMT | 08:55 am ET | 16:25 local time.
Current form:
Wellington Firebirds:
It has been a terrible season for the Wellington Firebirds, who have so far only managed a single victory in their third game and have not achieved any positive results since.
Tom Blundell remains their best hitter, leading the Firebirds’ run-scoring effort, while their bowling has featured contributions from Ben Sears and James Hartshorn.
Kings of Canterbury:
A host of changes to their XI cost the Canterbury Kings a game against the Auckland Aces, and they fell to second place in the points table with 16 points after six games.
Matthew Boyle and Tom Latham remain their leading scorers so far this season, and the Kings’ bowling has been led by Cole McConchie and Cameron Paul this season.
T20 Batting Statistics
Players to watch:
Wellington Firebirds:
Tom Blundell – the captain has scored 278 runs in seven innings, at an average of 39.71 and has been aggressive with the bat, batting at 160.69, and has been responsible for giving the Firebirds quick starts.
Ben Sears – Firebirds’ leading wicket-taker Ben Sears has started to recover well from injury, having taken nine wickets at an average of 24.88 and struck once every 14.7 balls.
James Hartshorn – He may have only played two games so far this season, but Hartshorn made an immediate impact with three wickets in those games, at an average of 12.66 and just 6.33 runs per over.
Kings of Canterbury:
Lachlan Harper – the all-rounder has impressed in his first Super Smash season, having scored 72 runs at 36 in three innings at a strike of 153.19 and has picked up two wickets at 32.
Cole McConchie – Leading his team from the front, Cole McConchie is the leading wicket-taker for the Canterbury Kings this season, with eight wickets at 17.87 so far, having struck once every 11.2 balls.
Tom Latham – Opening the batting, Tom Latham has scored 201 runs in five games, at an average of 40.2 and an average of 162.09 this season and has been their highest run-scorer.
Head to head (Last 5 matches):
It has been a very close battle between the Canterbury Kings and the Wellington Firebirds, but the Canterbury Kings have the advantage in the last five games.
T20 wicket takers
Venue Statistics – Basin Reserve, Wellington (2022-2026):
Average score of the first entry:
-
2022 – 158.67
-
2023 – 159.25
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2024 – 142.33
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2025 – 166.71
-
2026 – 177.33
Bowling Averages and Cheap Rates:
Percentage of land based on entries:
Wickets per entry:
Windows per phase:
-
Powerplay (over 1 to 6): 1.80 wickets
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Upper middles (more than 7 to 15): 2.45 lands
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Death Overs (16-20 over): 2.29 wickets
Conditions have become easier for batsmen at Basin Reserve, as the average first innings score increased to 177.33 in 2026, up from 166.71 in 2025. There is an advantage to batting second here, as 60% of matches held here were won by the team batting second.
The fast bowlers have fared much better at Basin Reserve, averaging 23.72 runs per wicket, striking once every 16.7 balls, while the spin bowlers have averaged 30.76 and striking once every 24.6 balls.
Most 6 T20
Squads:
Wellington Firebirds:
Nick Kelly ©, Tom Blundell (WK), Muhammad Abbas, Nick Greenwood, Ben Sears, Gareth Severin, Michael Snedden, Tim Robinson, Jesse Tashkoff, Logan van Beek, Peter Younghusband and Yahya Zeb.
Kings of Canterbury:
Cole McConchie ©, Mitchell Hay (WK), Tom Latham (WK), Matt Boyle, Henry Nicholls, Chad Bowes, Kyle Jamieson, Leo Carter, Cameron Paul, Ish Sodhi, Sean Davey and Fraser Sheat.
Match Prediction – Wellington Firebirds – Canterbury Kings
Cricket Match Predictions – PrePlay
Who will win the draw? — Kings of Canterbury
Who will win the match? — Kings of Canterbury
Best Hitter (Runs Scored) — Tom Blundell (Wellington Firebirds), Tom Latham (Canterbury Kings)
Best bowler (wickets taken) — Ben Sears (Wellington Firebirds), Lachlan Harper (Canterbury Kings)
Most of the six — Tom Blundell (Wellington Firebirds), Tom Latham (Canterbury Kings)
Player of the match — Tom Latham (Kings of Canterbury)
The team scores batting first — Wellington Firebirds 150+, Canterbury Kings 170+
Super Smash 2025-26 Live Cricket Stream – The live cricket streaming page that allows you to watch live cricket – Geo restrictions apply
*NB: These predictions may change closer to kick-off once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In Play’ features, so stay tuned.
Furthermore, the predictions and selections are formulated from statistics and information obtained and compiled from artificial intelligence and statistics experts. Always remember, when the fun stops…STOP
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