Cape Cobras vs Lions, CSA T20 Challenge 2019, Today Match Prediction 26 Apr 2019

cobras vs lions Match Prediction & Analysis

The 25th game of CSA T20 Challenge 2019 is expected to be a well contested one. Cape Cobras would take on Lions in their home ground Newlands, Cape Town where they haven’t lost a game yet this season. They currently sit at the top of the points table and have lost just one game so far. Lions on their part have also played well but the loss to Warriors in the last game by 9 wickets would have hit their confidence. 

Cape Cobras and Lions have shared a great rivalry over the years but at their home ground, Newlands Cape Cobras have dominated on most occasions. Lions would have to recover from last game’s loss and play their best game to defeat the Cape Cobras. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Cape Cobras Preview

It was a good win for the Cape Cobras in the last game against the Titans. Skipper Rory Kleinveldt would be happy with the fact that his side managed to chase down a big total comfortably in the end. They would be looking to keep up the same momentum in the next game. 

Janneman Malan and David Bedingham gave a good start to the side but it was the performance of Aviwe Mgijima towards the end that won it for the side. But Hashim Amla has so far failed at the top and would be looking to do well in the next game. Kyle Verreynne and George Linde complete a strong batting line-up for the side.

Rory Kleinveldt has been extremely economical with his bowling and he was unlucky to not pick a wicket. Nkululeko Serame also kept it tight but the remaining three bowlers Vernon Philander, George Linde, and Tladi Bokako leaked runs. Bokako has bowled well in the season and he would be looking to do well in the next game. 

Cape Cobras Predicted Playing XI:

Hashim Amla, Vernon Philander, Rory Kleinveldt (c), Jason Smith, Aviwe Mgijima, George Linde, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Tladi Bokako, Nkululeko Serame, Janneman Malan, David Bedingham

Cape Cobras Actual Playing XI:

George Linde, Nkululeko Serame, Jean-Paul Duminy, David Bedingham, Rory Kleinveldt, Hashim Amla, Janneman Malan, JF Smith, Aviwe Mgijima, T Bokako, Vernon Philander

Lions Preview

It was a bad loss for Lions in the last game against the Warriors. Skipper Temba Bavuma would have felt upset with the efforts of his bowlers who made it an easy win for the opponents in the last game. Though the side has almost made it to the semi-finals they would like to win against the Cape Cobras in the next game. 

Reeza Hendricks did well in the last game and there was good support from Dwaine Pretorius and Temba Bavuma but the rest of the batsmen failed. But the side would feel confident as Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen have done well in the previous games. With Wihan Lubbe and Nono Pongolo in the side, they bat deep.

Their bowlers who had had a good season so far had a miserable day in office. Migael Pretorius and Bjorn Fortuin bowled well but the rest of the attack just game away too many easy runs. Aaron Phangiso has done well earlier in the season and looks to do well. Dwaine Pretorius and Malusi Siboto will have to check their line in the next game.

Lions Predicted Playing XI:

Aaron Phangiso, Temba Bavuma (c), Dwaine Pretorius, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Malusi Siboto, Nono Pongolo, Bjorn Fortuin, Wihan Lubbe, Migael Pretorius, Ryan Rickelton (wk)

Lions Actual Playing XI:

Nono Pongolo, Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton, Dwaine Pretorius, Lizaad Williams, Willem Mulder, Wihan Lubbe, Bjorn Fortuin, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, MP Siboto

Weather Conditions

There are predictions of cloud cover at Cape Town on April 26 with slight chances of rain. The pitch here offers assistance to the bowlers initially but is a decent one to bat on. The ball tends to stop a bit here and a score of around 160 runs would be a good one to defend on this surface. 

Venue

Fast bowlers have always enjoyed bowling at Newlands, Cape Town as the surface offers good assistance to them throughout the game. It is a good track to bat on as well with the ball coming on to the bat and this makes stroke making easy.  It is one of the best venues for T20 cricket in South Africa. 

Toss: To Bowl

In both the games that have been played so far in the season the side batting first has won them. But with heavy weather predicted for the game the team batting second may have an advantage knowing the target. The skipper winning the toss might elect to field in the next game.