Twenty20 cricket is a fast game built on players having to make quick decisions. When it comes to those decisions the players who have to make them the fastest are batsmen.
A Twenty20 match can often be about scoring runs as fast as possible and to do that players have to use all of their skill and instinct to get runs.
This combination can often to lead exciting explosive results like in a match in last season’s competition where a World Record number of sixes were hit!
So let’s take a look at the players from each team who could be showing off those skills this year in the McDonald’s Super Smash. We’ve also included a tweet sized summary of each team’s batting line up.
Auckland Aces
Batting line up in a tweet
A bold mixture of experienced talent with a sprinkling of exciting new young players. Strike rates. New combinations.
Player to watch
Hong Kong born Mark Chapman might be slight in stature but don’t be fooled this 22-year-old can send the ball all around the park (just ask the Central Stags) in delightful style. Chapman can make the game look easy with his sharp reactions and smooth strokeplay.
Knights
Batting line up in a tweet
Big hitters from start to finish. But can they put on a consistent show?
Player to watch
Anton Devcich is a highly experience Twenty20 player and is capable of doing big things for the Knights. Devcich is a player who can turn a match on its head in the space of just a few deliveries and supporters of the Knights will be hoping the bearded one has plenty of matching turning moments in him this season.
Central Stags
Batting line up in a tweet
Wow. Ryder. Jayawardene. Can Young and Bruce find the same fireworks they brought to the competition last year?
Player to watch
In a batting line up full of exciting talent Mahela Jayawardene stands out. One of Sri Lanka’s finest ever cricketers, Jayawardene will be a key player if the Stags hope to challenge for the title this season.
Wellington Firebirds
Batting line up in a tweet
Wise heads and fast hands. Can weight of experience take the Firebirds back to Twenty20 glory?
Player to watch
Hamish Marshall has returned to New Zealand after a lengthy stay in English cricket and will lead the Firebirds in the McDonald’s Super Smash. Will his expert knowledge of the game provide the edge the Firebirds need?
Canterbury Kings
Batting line up in a tweet
Import? Canterbury combos. Always tough at home but can the King’s dominate away?
Player to watch
Andrew Ellis is consistently one of the best players in New Zealand domestic cricket and has already shown this season he is in fine touch with the bat. Can Canterbury’s captain lead them into the finals with the bat?
Otago Volts
Batting line up in a tweet
Fast starters. Powerful middle. Sting in the tail?
Player to watch
In Hamish Rutherford the Otago Volts have a player capable of getting them off to the fastest possible start. Quick runs at the start of an innings can be vital in Twenty20 cricket and Otago will be looking to Rutherford for momentum early.
