Cape Cobras vs Titans, Momentum One Day Cup 2020, Today Match Prediction 12 Feb 2020

cobras vs tit Match Prediction & Analysis

The 9th match of the Momentum One Day Cup will see hosts Cape Cobras taking on Titans at the Newlands Stadium on Wednesday. With three rounds having been already played, the two teams, Cape Cobras and Titans have got off to mixed starts. While Cape Cobras have won two out of their three matches, Titans have lost two out of their three games.

In their last match, Cape Cobras sealed a slender five-run win against Dolphins in a rain-curtailed match. After a disappointing Test series against England, Zubayr Hamza's confidence seems to be rising as he followed up a fifty against Lions with a splendid hundred. Opening batsman Pieter Malan's 71 and George Linde's 49-run blitz helped the Cobras post a daunting 320-6. Even though Dolphins came up with an admirable effort through superb knocks from Grant Roelofson, Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Khaya Zondo, they fell five runs short of the revised target of 286.

Meanwhile, a superb bowling performance set up a convincing five-wicket win for the Titans against Warriors. Dayyan Galiem was the star of the day as he picked up four wickets while Hardus Viljoen also contributed with two scalps. In the chase, Tony de Zorzi composed 98 and along with some lusty hitting from the duo of Heinrich Klaasen and Farhaan Behardien the Titans wrapped up a chase of 234 inside 39 overs. This helped the Titans to gain a bonus point along with their first victory.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Cape Cobras Preview

Without any sort of doubt, Cape Cobras' batting is their strength with both Zubayr Hamza and Pieter Malan crossing 150 runs after just three games. Both Hamza and Malan have registered a fifty and hundred each and this has ensured that Cobras have somehow put on a very good total in both their wins so far.

Further, the all-round duo of George Linde and Jason Smith have also started off the tournament on a brilliant note. Apart from scoring quick runs during the death overs, Smith and Linde have taken four wickets each. Teenage fast-bowler Thando Ntini has also bowled superbly to pick up six dismissals until now. This variety of bowling has given a very balanced look to the Cobras outfit so far.

Cape Cobras Predicted Playing XI:

Pieter Malan, Hanno Kotze (WK), Zubayr Hamza, Jason Smith, George Linde, Aviwe Mgijima, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt (C), Mihlali Mpongwana, Nandre Burger, Thando Ntini

Cape Cobras Actual Playing XI:

Thando Ntini, George Linde, Zubayr Hamza, Rory Kleinveldt, Mihlali Mpongwana, Janneman Malan, JF Smith, Pieter Malan, Aviwe Mgijima, Kyle Verreynne, Nandre Burger

Titans Preview

Unlike the Cape Cobras, Titans have suffered without a consistent performer with both bat and ball. With the bat, the likes of Dean Elgar and Henry Davids have looked good but have been unable to convert their starts. No Titans batsman has registered a century until now. This is why Tony de Zorzi’s 98 in the last match bodes well given that the team will need to bat well against a strong Cobras' outfit.

As far as the bowling is concerned, it is fair to say that Titans lack wicket-takers in the absence of quite a few main players. However, the duo of Dayyan Galiem and Hardus Vijoen have done decently to pick up a combined ten wickets until now. Apart from these two, Titans have leaked runs at more than six per over and this will be a cause of concern.

Titans Predicted Playing XI:

Henry Davids, Tony de Zorzi, Grant Thomson, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (C & WK), Farhaan Behardien, Dayyan Galiem, Hardus Vijoen, Gregory Mahlokwana, Imran Manack, Alfred Mothoa

Titans Actual Playing XI:

Alfred Mothoa, TL Moreki, Henry Davids, Tony de Zorzi, Heinrich Klaasen, Imran Manack, Farhaan Behardien, GM Thomson, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Corbin Bosch, Dean Elgar

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The game between Cobras and Titans on Wednesday will be the first match at the Newlands in this tournament. Anyhow, batsmen have seemed to enjoy the tracks at the stadium during both the Mzansi Super League and 4-day Franchise Series. Thankfully, there is no threat of rain for this game. One can expect a pretty sunny day with a maximum temperature of 28-degree celsius.

Venue Details

The Newlands Stadium in Cape Town is regarded as one of the most beautiful grounds in the world with the Table Mountain adding scenic beauty to the venue. Last season, Titans registered a comfortable 83-run victory when they met the hosts Cape Cobras at Newlands.

Toss: To Bat

Batting first seems to be the route to success in this tournament with teams batting first going onto win six out of the eight matches until now. The Newlands Stadium also has a tendency to throw up dry surfaces and this will further support the choice to bat first.