Tale of the tape

We're down to three - can the Knights go back to back? Or is this the year the Aces or Stags break through?

Elimination Final 
Auckland Aces v Central Stags, Eden Park Outer Oval, 4.10pm Friday 15 February. Live on SKY Sport and Radio Sport.  
Tickets 

Grand Final
Knights v winner Aces v Stags, Seddon Park, Hamilton, 4.10pm Sunday 17 February. Live on SKY Sport and Radio Sport. 
Tickets 

Strap yourself in, there's going to be fireworks - here's how they line up:   

Knights 

2018: Champions

2019: Finished first place in regular season 

Leading run scorer: Daryl Mitchell, 318

Leading wicket taker:  Scott Kuggeleijn, 13

Team news: The Knights' enviable depth was tested as no less than eight players were called up for the BLACKCAPS' T20 series against India, and should be able to call on Ish Sodhi, Tim Siefert, Daryl Mitchell and Scott Kuggeleijn for the final - they've all made an impact in the internationals and will be keen to do the same on Sunday. The Knights will name their team for the final at lunchtime Saturday. 

Head to head form: Stags beat Knights by five wickets at Bay Oval, 27 December / Knights beat Stags by 131 runs at McLean Park 25 January.   

Knights beat Aces by two runs at Seddon Park, 2 January / Aces beat Knights by six wickets at Eden Park Outer Oval 2 February.   

Keys to victory: The Knights have class everywhere you look, from Tim Siefert, Nick Kelly and Dean Brownlie at the top, power through the middle with Corey Anderson, Daryl Mitchell and Brett Hampton, and a quality attack with South African import Kyle Abbott, Neil Wagner and wily spinners Ish Sodhi and Tarun Nethula. 

As always, fitting returning players back into the squad and keeping everyone happy will be key, but this is a team with experience in this area. Worryingly, they've lost their last two matches and lack a little momentum, but have home advantage on their side. Will resting up and watching the Aces and Stags play a tough match on Friday be an advantage or disadvantage? Tune in, find out... 

Auckland Aces

2018: Third place 

2019: Second after regular season 

Leading run scorer: Craig Cachopa, 207 

Leading wicket taker: Mitchell McClenaghan, 15  

Team news:  Settled. The Aces take virtually the same 12 into this finals weekend as the last round, get the full list

Head to head form: Aces beat Stags by five wickets at Pukekura Park, 29 December / Aces beat Stags by eight wickets at Eden Park Outer Oval, 9 February. 

Knights beat Aces by two runs at Seddon Park, 2 January / Aces beat Knights by six wickets at Eden Park Outer Oval 2 February.  

Keys to victory: The Aces' campaign has been quietly building, and they've hit hot form at the right end of the season. Their line up has been settled over the last few weeks and they'll fancy their chances chasing having reeled in the Knights and Stags at Eden Park Outer Oval in the last two rounds - it's their fortress and they'll be happier playing in the big smoke than in New Plymouth.

Colin Munro leads the firepower for the Aces, and English import Daniel Bell-Drummond showed his class against the Stags and combines well with fellow big hitters Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman at the top of the order. Skipper Craig Cachopa averaging 34 runs at a strike rate of 154 - he's got the knack of scoring important runs and is key to the Aces' chances. Their fielding has been superb, backing up an attack capable of taking wickets throughout the innings with Mitchell McClenaghan keen to add to his 15 wickets.  

Central Stags

2018: Runners up

2019: Finished third in the regular season 

Leading run scorer: Tom Bruce, 308 

Leading wicket taker: Blair Tickner, 15 

Team news: Doug Bracewell re-joins the side from BLACKCAPS duties, but Blair Tickner has been ruled out through injury, as is young mid-order hitter Josh Clarkson - get the full run down.

Head to head form:  Stags beat Knights by five wickets at Bay Oval, 27 December / Knights beat Stags by 131 runs at McLean Park 25 January. 

Aces beat Stags by five wickets at Pukekura Park, 29 December / Aces beat Stags by eight wickets at Eden Park Outer Oval, 9 February. 

Keys to victory: The Stags can hurt teams fast at the top of the order, with George Worker, Will Young, Tom Bruce and Dean Foxcroft, who's having a storming debut season, all capable of going big in a short space of time. The challenge will be getting the same from their middle order should they lose early wickets. Losing Tickner is certainly a blow, but with Bracewell, Adam Milne, Seth Rance and Ben Wheeler lining up, as well as Ajaz Patel, their attack is a match for anyone.  

The Stags are well traveled, and playing away from home for the finals shouldn't bother them - OK, they've lost twice to the Aces this season, but won the corresponding fixture last year. Getting an Eden Park sighter last weekend will be an advantage - there's no doubt they'll be set to go.