Cape Cobras vs Lions, Momentum One Day Cup 2021, Today Match Prediction 29 Jan 2021

cobras vs lions Match Prediction & Analysis

The 5th match of Pool B will be played between Cape Cobras and Imperial Lions on 29th January at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom. The Lions are enjoying their perfect start for this season. They have won all their matches and are currently on the top of the points table with 14 points. The Cobras, on the other hand, have not won a single game this season.

The Lions started their season with a game against the Cobras. They won the game comfortably by 6 wickets. They went on to beat the Warriors by 42 runs and by six wickets respectively to maintain their perfect record. The Lions all-rounder Delano Potgieter has emerged as the key player in their setup by scoring 155 runs in three games at an average of 155 and taking 3 wickets at an economy of 4.50.

Cobras went on to lose by 81 runs against the Warriors (D/L Method) after losing their first game against the Lions. Their batting and bowling orders had not clicked in both games. Therefore, it will be interesting to see if they open their ‘hood’ in this game or stay ‘spineless’ for the third time.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Cape Cobras Preview

Cobras are yet to find a perfect combination of the players to make their team win. They have not won a game since February 2020. They made four changes in the last game but failed to capitalize. It will be a headache for captain Zubayr Hamza to come up with the solutions. Cobras are definitely missing Dane Piedt who left South Africa cricket to try his luck in the United States of America’s cricket setup.

Tony de Zorzi and Janneman Malan will open the innings for the Cobras. Malan who made his international debut for South Africa in 2019 scored a half-century in the first game but failed to score big in the second game. The Momentum One Day Cup will be his way to catch the eyes of the selectors again for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Zubayr Hamza and Jonathan Bird will come next in the batting order. 19-year-old Bird is being looked like the future of Cricket South Africa. He scored 27 runs in the last game.

It is not only the batting order who has to look at their performances. The bowling department of the Cobras is equally responsible for their losses. Ziyaad Abrahams who got his chance last game took 2 wickets with an economy of 4. Imran Manack who is the leading wicket-taker for the Cobras is going for runs creating pressure in the middle overs for his team. Cobras will probably go unchanged as too many changes will compromise their team setup.

Key players: Janneman Malan, Ziyaad Abrahams, Jonathan Bird

Cape Cobras Predicted Playing XI:

Zubayr Hamza (C), Tony de Zorzi, Janneman Malan, Jonathan Bird, Jean du Plessis, Aviwe Mgijima, Onke Nyaku, Benjamin Ward, Imran Manack, Nandre Burger, Ziyaad Abrahams

Lions Preview

The Lions will probably go unchanged in their fourth game.  After all, Captain Aaron Phangiso will be pleased with the performance of his squad. Wesley Marshall will open the innings with Ryan Rickelton. Rickelton who scored a century in the first game is been providing a good start with Marshall and the Lions will be expecting their opening pair to continue to do so. Reeza Hendricks who is yet to perform for the Lions will be given a chance to show his worth in the squad.

Dominic Hendricks, Nicky van den Bergh, and Delano Potgieter will handle the middle-order for the Lions. Both Hendricks and Potgieter came to the rescue in the third game when the Lions lost their 3 wickets early. Hendricks went on to score 91 with the help of Potgieter’s 96 to help the Lions continue their winning streak.

Sisanda Magala will lead the bowling attack with captain Aaron Phangiso and Bjorn Fortin. The trio has taken 16 wickets for the Lions in the three games played so far. Elderd Hawken and Malusi Siboto will fill the remaining overs after being economical in the last games.

Key Players:  Delano Potgieter, Sisanda Mangala, Ryan Rickelton

Lions Predicted Playing XI:

Aaron Phangiso (C), Ryan Rickelton, Wesley Marshall, Reeza Hendricks, Dominic Hendricks, Nicky van den Bergh, Delano Potgieter, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn Fortin, Malusi Siboto, Elderd Hawken.

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather at Potchefstroom will be 75% to 89% humid and cloudy. The temperature will be as high as 25°C to a low of 18°C. The wind will be gusting at around 10-17 km/h. A thunderstorm is expected throughout the day and night.

Venue Details

Senwes Park. Potchefstroom is famous for some of the best chases in International cricket. Earlier known as the Sedgars Park, the venue can accommodate 18000 spectators.

Toss: To Bat

Though team batting second has won all the ODIs at Senwes Park. the team that batted first has won four out of the six games played here this season. Therefore, the team winning the toss should bat first here.