vs Today Match Prediction and Betting Tips, Odds and Live Score

CD vs WELL Match Prediction & Analysis

Central Districts are set to face Wellington in the Eliminator match of the Ford Trophy 2025-26, scheduled for February 20 at Basin Reserve, Wellington.

Central Districts performed brilliantly this season, winning 6 out of 10 matches in the group stage, finishing second in the points table and qualifying for the Eliminator match. On the other hand, Wellington also performed brilliantly throughout the tournament, winning 6 out of the 10 games in the group stage and finished 3rd in the points table. The winner of this match will qualify for the final.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

CD

W W W L W

CD

276/8 in 50.0 5.52

FT 2025-26

Central Stags beat Canterbury Kings by 22 runs 17 Feb 2026

CANT

254/10 in 49.0 5.18

CD

164/5 in 39.5 4.12

FT 2025-26

Central Stags beat Auckland Aces by 5 wickets 07 Feb 2026

AUCK

163/10 in 50.0 3.26

WELL

289/8 in 36.0 8.03

FT 2025-26

Central Stags beat Wellington Firebirds by 18 runs 04 Feb 2026

CD

307/4 in 36.0 8.53

AUCK

219/5 in 19.0 11.53

SST20 2025-26

Auckland Aces won by 8 runs (DLS Method) 26 Jan 2026

CD

210/4 in 19.0 11.05

CD

134/4 in 19.3 6.87

SST20 2025-26

Central Stags beat Otago Volts by 6 wickets 24 Jan 2026

OV

133/10 in 18.0 7.39

WELL

W L W W L

WELL

281/7 in 50.0 5.62

FT 2025-26

Wellington Firebirds beat Northern Brave by 118 runs 18 Feb 2026

ND

163/10 in 36.1 4.51

CANT

69/2 in 11.5 5.83

FT 2025-26

Canterbury Kings beat Wellington Firebirds by 8 wickets 13 Feb 2026

WELL

68/10 in 22.2 3.04

AUCK

240/8 in 50.0 4.8

FT 2025-26

Wellington Firebirds beat Auckland Aces by 5 wickets 10 Feb 2026

WELL

243/5 in 43.5 5.54

OV

213/10 in 45.5 4.65

FT 2025-26

Wellington Firebirds beat Otago Volts by 56 runs

07 Feb 2026

WELL

269/9 in 50.0 5.38

WELL

289/8 in 36.0 8.03

FT 2025-26

Central Stags beat Wellington Firebirds by 18 runs 04 Feb 2026

CD

307/4 in 36.0 8.53

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Central Stags Preview

Central Districts put up a brilliant performance in the last match, defeating Canterbury by 22 runs. Batting first, Central Districts scored 276 runs, in response to which Canterbury were all out for 254.

In batting, Curtis Heaphy gave Central Districts a brilliant start from the top order in the last game, scoring 117 runs in 142 balls. In the middle order, Dane Cleaver also batted well, scoring 38 runs in 36 balls and helping the team reach a good total.

Central Districts also performed brilliantly in the bowling department against Canterbury in the last match. Brett Randell and Raymond Toole bowled well, taking three wickets each, while Josh Clarkson took two wickets and played a key role in the team's victory.

Overall, Brad Schmulian has been the most important batsman for the team this season, scoring 439 runs in 10 matches at an average of 62.71, which includes two excellent centuries and a half-century. Moreover, Dean Foxcroft also batted well throughout the season and scored 340 runs in 10 games.

Josh Clarkson has been bowling brilliantly and is the highest wicket-taker of the tournament so far, taking 19 wickets in 10 matches.

Central Districts has played one match at this venue this season, in which they scored 307 runs while batting first against Wellington and won the match by 18 runs

Central Stags Predicted Playing XI:

Brad Schmulian, Curtis Heaphy, Will Young, Dean Foxcroft, Dane Cleaver, Josh Clarkson, Angus Schaw, Brett Randell, Jayden Lennox (c), Blair Tickner, Raymond Toole.

Central Stags Actual Playing XI:

Toby Findlay, Brad Schmulian, Curtis Heaphy, Will Young, Dean Foxcroft, Dane Cleaver, Josh Clarkson, Angus Schaw, Brett Randell, Jayden Lennox, Raymond Toole

Wellington Firebirds Preview

Wellington performed outstandingly in the previous game against Northern Districts. Wellington won the game by 118 runs due to that they secured their spot in the Eliminator match.

Wellington came to bat first in the previous match against Northern Districts scoring 281 runs. Jesse Tashkoff and Nathan Smith played well and scored 51 and 46 runs, respectively. While Peter Younghusband performed well in the bowling department and took 4 wickets.

Tim Robinson is currently Wellington's highest run scorer in the tournament, scoring 370 runs in ten matches at an average of 42.25, including two brilliant centuries. Apart from him, Tom Blundell has also performed well and has scored 367 in the tournament so far.

While in the bowling department, JW Hartshorn is the second-highest wicket taker of the tournament who has taken 19 wickets in 10 matches at an economy of 5.44. Moreover, JM Tashkoff has also got 12 wickets in 10 games.

Wellington have played five matches at this venue this season, in which they won three games while also losing twice.

Wellington Firebirds Predicted Playing XI:

Tashkoff, Nick Greenwood, Oscar Jackson, Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly (c), Muhammad Abbas, Tom Blundell, Nathan Smith, Younghusband, Michael Snedden, James Hartshorn.

Wellington Firebirds Actual Playing XI:

Jesse Tashkoff, Nick Greenwood, Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, Muhammad Arslan Abbas, Tom Blundell, Nathan Smith, Oscar Jackson, Peter Younghusband, Michael Snedden, James Hartshorn

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather is expected to be sunny on match day at Wellington. The temperature will be expected to be between 14 to 21 degree Celsius. Such conditions should be conducive to good and a high-scoring contest.

CD vs WELL Pitch Report

Basin Reserve, Wellington, is known as a well-balanced surface, though it generally favours both batters and bowlers. Initially, quick bowlers will find movement in the early overs. This surface gets pace and bounce in the first inning and is helpful for the batters to score boundaries. The average first-innings total at this venue in this season is 275, and a similar score is expected in this match as well. Moreover, Brad Schmulian of Central Districts is the highest run scorer at this venue, having scored 148 runs in 98 balls against Wellington.

Toss: To Bat

It is easy to bat first at this venue. Out of the 5 matches played at the venue, the team batting first has won in 3 matches, which indicates that the captain winning the toss in this match will likely opt to bat first.

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