Check out all the previous stats and AI predictive form guide for match number 12: Wellington Firebirds vs Central Stags, to be played on 7 January 2026 at Basin Reserve, Wellington.
Match Prediction – Wellington Firebirds v Central Stags
Match details:
Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Event: Basin Reserve, Wellington.
Start time: 03:25 am GMT | 08:55 am ET | 16:25 local time.
Current form:
Wellington Firebirds:
The Firebirds will be disappointed not to be able to get into the park due to rain in the air against the Aces, but they find themselves in third place, with six points after four matches.
The Firebirds have seen careers from Jesse Tashkoff, Tim Robinson and Nick Kelly. The Firebirds’ bowling effort has been led by Peter Younghusband and Yahya Zeb.
Central Deer:
The Stags, as defending champions, started their season with a commanding victory, but it’s been all downhill since then. They have lost three consecutive games and will want to get out of the bad moment.
Dane Cleaver and Will Young have made the biggest contributions with the bat, while Ajaz Patel and Angus Schaw have been magical with the ball.
Players to watch:
Wellington Firebirds:
Nick Kelly – the captain has scored 108 runs in three games, at an average of 54 and has been aggressive with the bat, hitting 152.11, achieving a career-best 95* in his last game.
Yahya Zeb – Yahya Zeb, the Firebirds’ leading wicket-taker, started his Super Smash career well, having taken four wickets at an average of 13 and striking once every 8.5 balls.
Jesse Tashkoff – Wellington Firebirds leading run scorer, scored 117 runs at an average of 58.5 and scored 172.05 and looks like he will have a great Super Smash.
Central Deer:
danish blade – The wicketkeeper-batsman is the Stags’ leading run-scorer with 145 runs to his name after four games, at an average of 36.25 and has scored 162.92.
Ajaz Patel – Seven wickets in his first four games this season, Ajaz Patel has been on an absolute streak, averaging 16.28 runs per wicket, having scored once every 12.8 balls.
David Foxcroft – not much required with the ball so far, Foxcroft has been vital with the bat, scoring 127 runs at 31.75 and has scored the strike at a reasonable rate, at 141.11.
Head to head (Last 5 matches):
Wellington Firebirds – 2 wins
Central Deer – 3 wins
The Central Stags have been excellent against the Wellington Firebirds in their last five games, and the Stags have recorded three wins in their previous five games.
T20 Batting Statistics
Venue Statistics – Basin Reserve, Wellington (2022-2026):
Average score of the first entry:
2022 – 158.67
2023 – 159.25
2024 – 142.33
2025 – 166.71
Bowling Averages and Cheap Rates:
Fast bowlers – Average – 22.15; Economy rate: 8.25; Balls per Wicket – 16.1.
Bowlers – Average – 29.9; Economy rate: 7.48; Balls per wicket: 23.9.
Percentage of land based on entries:
Team winning percentage by batting first: 41.2%
Team winning percentage when batting second: 58.8%
Wickets per entry:
First innings: 7.12 wickets
Second innings: 6.23 wickets
Windows per phase:
Powerplay (over 1 to 6): 1.91 wickets
Upper media (more than 7 to 15): 2.47 lands
Death Overs (16-20 over): 2.44 wickets
Conditions have become easier for batsmen at Basin Reserve, as the average first innings score has increased to 166.71 in 2025, up from 142.33 in 2024. There is an advantage to batting second here, as over 58% of matches held here have been won by the team batting second.
Fast bowlers have fared much better at Basin Reserve, averaging 22.15 runs per wicket, striking once every 16.1 balls, while spin bowlers have averaged 29.9 and striking once every 23.9 balls.
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.
Central Deer:
Jayden Lennox ©, Dane Cleaver (WK), Will Clark, Josh Clarkson, Toby Findlay, Dean Foxcroft, Curtis Heaphy, Ajaz Patel, Brett Randell, Angus Schaw, Ray Toole and Will Young.
Cricket Match Predictions – PrePlay
Who will win the draw? — Central Deer
Who will win the match? – Wellington Firebirds
Best Hitter (Runs Scored): Tim Robinson (Wellington Firebirds), Dane Cleaver (Central Stags)
Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Ben Sears (Wellington Firebirds), Ajaz Patel (Central Stags)
Most Six: Jesse Tashkoff (Wellington Firebirds), Dane Cleaver (Central Stags)
Man of the match: Tim Robinson (Wellington Firebirds)
Team scores batting first: Wellington Firebirds 170+, Central Stags 160+
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