Cape Town Blitz vs Paarl Rocks, Mzansi Super League 2018, Today Match Prediction 07 Dec 2018

ctb vs pr Match Prediction & Analysis

With the league stage entering the fag end and qualifying teams yet to be decided, all the teams would sweat it out for a place in the top half of the table. The matches are going to be intense and action-packed as the berth in qualifiers are at stake. The hosts, Cape Town Blitz are currently at the top of the table with 25 points from 8 matches (5 wins, 2 lost and one no-result). They would love to seal the first position and qualify directly for the finals. It also means they can play the finals at their home ground which would be an added advantage. The Blitz had a small blip in form with two losses in their last three completed games. They must regain momentum before finals in their last two home games. Their batting line up is looking strong with likes of Quinton de Kock, Jannemann Malan, Dawid malan, Skipper Behardien Pakistan duo of Asif Ali and Mohammed Nawaz and all-rounder Phehlukwayo.  Their pace quartet of Dale Steyn, newbie Nandre Burger, Phehlukwayo and Malusi Siboto are working as a well-gelled unit and are ably supported by spinner Mohammed Nawaz.

Paarl Rocks chances of qualification have taken a step back after their loss to Tshwane Spartans in the last match. They still have the chance to qualify for the playoffs with some results from other teams favoring them. They are boosted by the return of international stars Cameron Delport and Dwayne Bravo. Skipper Faf du Plessis has been their batting mainstay with useful contributions from Henry Davids, Aiden Markram, Vann Jaarswald and Keeper Mosehle. Their bowling has been their strong suit with Bjorn Fortuin, Dane Paterson, David Wiese and Chinaman Shamsi forming an effective partnership to strangle the opposition. Addition of Dwayne Bravo further strengths the bowling attack. A loss in this match would literally knock out Paarl Rocks for the competition.

Cape Town Blitz preview

Expected Playing XI:

Farhaan Behardien (C), Jannemann Malan, Quinton de Kock (Wk), Dawid Malan, Asif Ali, Mohammed Nawaz, Andile Phelukwayo, Malusi Siboto, Dwayne Bravo, Dale Steyn, Nandre Burger 

Despite their loss the Blitz are expected to go in with an unchanged XI. They have well balanced and settled line-up.

Paarl Rocks preview

Expected Playing XI: 

Faf du Plessis(C), Aiden Markram, Cameron delport, Van Jaarswald/Henry Davids, Dwayne Bravo, David Wiese, Mangaliso Mosehle(Wk), Bjorn Fortuin, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dane Paterson, Tshepo Moreki

Henry Davids may come in place for Van jaarswald if he is fit and ready to play. No other changes are expected in the playing XI. 

Key Players:

Cape Town Blitz

Quinton de Kock – de Kock has been in excellent form scoring a century recently. He would like to continue his form leading to the final round.

Mohammed Nawaz – Pakistani All-rounder Nawaz will be needed to plug run flow with his left arm spin and some lusty blows while batting in the middle.

Dale Steyn – Experienced speedster has not been among the wickets column and would hope to get some wickets in the upcoming matches. He has bowled with good pace and control in the tournament so far.

Missing player: Anrich Nortje(injured) 

Paarl rocks

Faf Du Plessis – Du Plessis is their main batsmen scoring runs at crucial situations and helping their team win. He would be required to play a big knock to maintain their chances of qualifying.

David Wiese – Wiese has been superb with the ball and it has maintained an economy rate less than 6 RPO in the last couple of matches. He would be required to contribute more with the bat.

Dwayne Bravo – Bravo`s experience, bowling at the death with slower balls, his batting skills are an asset to any team. He would love to showcase his skills to help his team win.

Missing player: Henry Davids (Subject to fitness)

Stats from recent matches

Cape Town Blitz 

J Malan – 279 runs at strike rate 129 (HS – 66)

Dale Steyn - 8 wickets at an economy of 7.1 RPO (BB-2/21)

Paarl Rocks

Faf du Plessis – 190 runs at strike rate 161 (HS-76*)

Bjorn Fortuin – 9 wickets at an economy of 7.7 RPO (BB -4/15)

Weather Conditions

The match is scheduled to start at local time 7.00 PM and there are chances of intermittent rain. The pitch at Newlands is one of best pitches in South Africa. It is one of the pitches where there are lot of runs on offer once you get set. The breeze and moist conditions will aid the bowlers. Any score above 180 runs is not easy to chase. The pitch might get slower during the second innings.

Toss Prediction

Newlands has been predominantly a bat first ground and chasing becomes tougher under lights. All three matches so far have been won handsomely by the teams batting first.

Toss: To Bat