It's the Otago Volts versus the Auckland Aces in this Wednesday's sudden death Ford Trophy Elimination Final in Dunedin.
Let's check out the recent history between the rivals, and what they have to say in the prematch shakedowns.
It's the second consecutive year that the Volts have appeared in the eliminator, and they're determined to get it right this time - after having falling short in last year's home knockout (in Queenstown) to Canterbury.
Andrew Hazeldine middles it in training today PHOTOSPORT
Canterbury went on to lose the 2023 Grand Final to top qualifier the Central Stags, but this summer they have qualified in the number one slot, and lie in wait at Hagley Oval, where the winner of tomorrow's game will be heading for Saturday's national one-day trophy match.
Ready for the challenge! Ahead of tomorrow's Ford Trophy elimination final, hear @aucklandcricket Aces' from Robbie O'Donnell on the challenge that awaits. Follow play LIVE tomorrow | https://t.co/LZCqzm2FYZ #FordTrophy #CricketNation #Cricket pic.twitter.com/VF6yDteoT2
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 20, 2024
The Aces bounced back this season after having been left out of the Finals last summer, and will be drawing on plenty of big-match experience - having won The Ford Trophy three times in the last six years (2022, 2020 - when they beat the Volts for the title in Auckland; and 2018).
The Aces were the early leaders in this year's regular season and have one-day captain Sean Solia back from injury, while an electric back half from the Otago Volts saw them sprint up from the wrong end of the table to put themselves in contention for the title.
Hear from our Otago Volts Captain Dean Foxcroft on tomorrow's elimination final against the Auckland Aces in Dunedin.
— Otago Cricket (@OtagoCricket) February 20, 2024
Catch all the action tomorrow here | https://t.co/lKohm7YiE5 pic.twitter.com/5wsrlwkdXS
The Ford Trophy Elimination Final will be livestreamed at NZC YouTube, with livescoring at www.nzc.nz and on the NZC app, the toss scheduled for 10am at University of Otago Oval and the match free admission.
SQUADS
PHOTOSPORT
Otago Volts: Dean Foxcroft (captain), Matt Bacon, Max Chu (w), Jacob Cumming, Jacob Duffy, Luke Georgeson, Llew Johnson, Ben Lockrose, Andrew Hazeldine, Travis Muller, Thorn Parkes, Dale Phillips
Sean Solia takes back the captaincy reins from Robbie O'Donnell PHOTOSPORT
Auckland Aces: Sean Solia (captain - returning from injury), Cole Briggs, Louis Delport, Danru Ferns, Cam Fletcher (w), Martin Guptill, Ryan Harrison, Ben Lister, Jock McKenzie, Robbie O’Donnell, Will O’Donnell, Angus Olliver, Nikith Perera
Otago Volts: Road to The Ford Trophy Elimination Final
Beat Auckland Aces by 42 runs in Invercargill
Lost to Auckland Aces by 7 wickets in Auckland
No result v Northern Districts in Hamilton
Lost to Central Stags by 82 runs in New Plymouth
Match abandoned v Canterbury in Invercargill
Lost to Canterbury by 8 wickets DLS in Rangiora
Beat Central Stags by 65 runs in Dunedin
Beat Wellington Firebirds by 15 runs in Wellington
Beat Northern Districts by 6 wickets in Queenstown
Beat Wellington Firebirds by 8 wickets in Queenstown
Auckland Aces: Road to The Ford Trophy Elimination Final
Lost to Otago Volts by 42 runs in Invercargill
Beat Otago Volts by 7 wickets in Auckland
Beat Canterbury by 5 wickets in Christchurch
Beat Northern Districts by 54 runs in Whangārei
Beat Wellington Firebirds by 10 runs DLS in Auckland
Lost to Northern Districts by 104 runs in Auckland
Lost to Canterbury by 119 runs in Auckland
Lost to Central Stags by 6 wickets in Napier
Beat Wellington Firebirds by 4 wickets in Wellington
Beat Central Stags by 5 wickets in Auckland
