Cape Town Blitz vs Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, Mzansi Super League 2018, Today Match Prediction 21 Nov 2018

ctb vs nmbg Match Prediction & Analysis

With the opening matches and victories garnered, now it is going to be business time for both the teams. Both teams being undefeated will be vying at the top spot in the league table which will take them directly to the finals. Cape Town Blitz as their name suggests have blitzed their way into the tournament by defeating Tshwane Spartans and Durban heats at their home and away respectively. CTB are bolstered by the return of their full-time skipper Farhan Behardien, All-rounder Andile Phelukwayo and Keeper-batsmen Quinton de Kock. Behardien takes over the reins from David Malan who has left the league owing to his other commitments.

Cape Town Blitz has batting stars such as Behardien, de Kock, J Malan, Pakistan duo of Mohammed Nawaz and Asif Ali. Phelukwayo joins the pace arsenal of Dale Steyn, impressive Anrich Nortje, Malusi Sibata and Ferisco Adams. Their spin department looks a bit weaker with the absence of their international star Samuel Badree.

Nelson Mandela Bay Giants easily defeated Jozi stars at their home ground to register their maiden victory. Overseas star Ben Duckett helped them secure a win with his red-hot form after both the openers registering ducks. They will be exited with the arrival of duo of Imran Tahir and Chris Morris. NMBG batting looks explosive with the likes of JJ Smuts, Duckett, Keino Kuhn, Jonker and Marais. Their lower middle order is filled with all-rounders like Chris Morris, Ryan Mclaren, Sisanda Magala and Lizaad Williams. The bowling stocks are high with the likes of Pace spearhead CJ Dala with Spinners Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso. With the return marquee South African players, this match is going to be one hell of a contest.  

CAPE TOWN BLITZ REVIEW

Expected Playing XI: Farhaan Behardien (C), Jannemann Malan, Quinton de Kock (Wk), Asif Ali, Mohammed Nawaz, Andile Phelukwayo, Malusi Siboto, Dane Piedt, Dale Steyn, Anrich Nortje.

Behardien takes over the captaincy from leaving Malan and de Kock takes over the keeping duties. Dane Piedt will replace George Linde and Phelukwayo is expected to replace Ferisco Adams despite his impressive performance in the match against Tshwane Spartans.

Key Players: 

Quinton de Kock – Returning from the national duties, the dashing opener is expected to play explosive knocks at the start of the innings.

Mohammed Nawaz – Nawaz is expected to play a crucial role as a spin bowling allrounder and along with Asif Ali will be required to score some quick runs in the middle order. 

Anrich Nortje – He has been the find of the tournament so far and with his extra pace troubles every batsman. With Dale Steyn by his side, he can be unstoppable.

Missing player: Dawid Malan, Samuel Badree 

NELSON MANDELA BAY GIANTS REVIEW

Expected Playing XI: JJ Smuts (C), Marco Marais, Ben Duckett, Heino Kuhn, Chris Jonker, Rudi Second (Wk), Ryan McLaren, Chris Morris, Imran Tahir, Aaron Phangiso, CJ Dala

Their batting unit is expected to be unchanged whereas returning Chris Morris and Imran Tahir and expected to slot in the playing XI. Both Phangiso and Tahir are expected to play a crucial role in the middle overs.

Key Players: 

Ben Duckett – The Englishmen has been in red-hot form and he guided his team to victory with a scintillating knock. He will like to continue his rich form and be amongst the runs.

Chris Morris – Returning from Australia T20, Morris can give some lusty blows with the bat and trouble batsmen with his express pace. He is an asset to team in both bowling and batting departments

Imran Tahir – One of top international T20 bowlers, Tahir will be keen to unveil his famous celebratory run with flurry of wickets in the league. He would like to prove his mettle as T20 bowler in the league.

Missing player: Nil 

Stats from recent matches:

Cape Town Blitz (2 matches)

Asif Ali – 80 runs at strike rate 243 (1 match)

Andrich Nortje - 5 wickets at an economy of 6.6 RPO

Nelson Mandela Bay Giants (1 match)

Ben Duckett – 75 runs at strike rate 167

JJ Smuts – 3 wickets at an economy of 5 RPO

Weather Conditions

Newlands pitch is one of the best pitches in South Africa maintained under the leadership of Head curator Evan Flint. The pitch is expected to be aid both the batsmen and bowlers to a certain extent.  With the wind and breeze, new ball might swing and pose a threat. But once settled there are runs for taking. Any Score above 180 is good and above par. The match is scheduled to start at 10:30PM, so it possibility of intermittent rain. But the rains don’t seem alarming enough to stop or cancel the game, there might be some stoppages in play.

TOSS PREDICTION: WIN the toss, BOWL First

Chasing has been the mantra in the T20 matches recently and late start in this match will bring in the dew factor into play. Bowlers might find it difficult to grip in the second innings. So, batting second becomes a little easier.

Toss: WIN the toss, BOWL First