Durban Heat vs Jozi Stars, Mzansi Super League 2019, Today Match Prediction 10 Dec 2019

dh vs js Match Prediction & Analysis

South African Cricket has been marred by off-field controversies but MSL2019 has been a big hit with teams fighting out and giving their best in every match. Durban Heat and Tshwane Spartans are yet to assure their play-off spot and we are off to the last match of the league round. The first two teams are separated by a small margin of NRR and Paarl Rocks have directly qualified for the Finals.

Durban Heat needs to win this match so that they can leapfrog Tshwane Spartans and qualify for the eliminator match against Bay Giants. They will hope the weather won’t bring any anti-climatic end to the league phase.

Jozi Stars had a bad season with 7 losses so far and no wins yet. They will look to finish the season on a high with a win and avoid a poor record of the win-less season.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Durban Heat Preview

Durban heat batting unit has been in sublime form chasing down targets in excess of 175+ runs in three consecutive matches. Alex Hales smashed an unbeaten 97 runs in the last match to chase down a record 197 runs. David Miller, Skipper Dane Vilas, and Wiaan Lubbe are amongst the runs consistently off late. All-rounder’s Andile Phehlukwayo and Ravi Bopara`s batting down the order will be a key factor in this match.

Their bowling unit looks fragile and not so threatening. Keshav Maharaj has been their best bowler this season with 5 wickets at an economy rate of 6.6 RPO. Malusi Siboto, Kyle Abbott and A Phehlukwayo have chipped in with wickets consistently but are giving runs at over 10 RPO. They need to tighten their bowling attack in this all-important do-or-die encounter.

Key Players:

David Miller – Miller has rediscovered himself and is amongst the runs in the last three matches. His attacking knock of 22-ball 40 helped them in the massive chase of 197 runs against the Paarl Rocks.

Malusi Siboto – Siboto is their highest wicket-taker with 7 wickets so far but his economy rate of 9.2 RPO is not helping the team. He bowled a decent spell of 4-0-29-1 in a high scoring encounter in the last match.

Durban Heat Predicted Playing XI:

Ravi Bopara, David Miller, Alex Hales, Dane Vilas (c & wk), Kyle Abbott, Andile Phehlukwayo, Malusi Siboto, Keshav Maharaj, Daryn Dupavillon, Wihan Lubbe, Wesley Marshall

Jozi Stars Preview

Jozi Stars will look to finish the season on a good note with a win. Reeza Hendricks and Temba Bavuma are the only two batsmen to score runs consistently so far with 200+ runs. Van Der Dussen and Dan Christian are not up to their standards so far and have failed to contribute with the bat. The departure of Chris Gayle has left a void in their team`s top order.

They have experienced bowlers in form of Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier, and Dan Christian but failed to make a big impact. Aaron Phangiso has contributed with 5 wickets at an economy rate of 7 RPO till now and will be their no.1 spinner in the team.

The addition of Shoiab Malik will improve their batting and bowling depth. Jozi Stars will be free of qualification pressure and will look to enjoy this game.

Key Players:

Reeza Hendricks – Hendricks has 275 runs at a strike rate of 125 this season and has made three 50+ scores so far. He scored 73 runs off 54 balls in the last match they batted. He will look to end the season with more runs to his name.

Kagiso Rabada – Rabada despite being their highest wicket-taker with 8 wickets is having a bad season by his standards. He will look to get back to his rhythm and form in this match.

Jozi Stars Predicted Playing XI:

Shoaib Malik, Daniel Christian, Aaron Phangiso, Lizaad Williams, Temba Bavuma (c), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier, Ryan Rickelton, Sinethemba Qeshile (wk)

Weather Conditions

Only 2 of the 4 matches played here have ended up with a result so far. The weather looks dark and gloomy with 80% chances of rain and match may get affected to weather interruptions for sure.

Venue Details

Durban will be a good pitch to bat and teams batting first scored 170+ runs in both the matches played here. The average score in this pitch will be around 160 -180 runs. Batsmen will enjoy the pace on this wicket once they are set.

Toss: To Bowl

Teams will look to take the safe option of chasing down the total at this venue and rain interruption too favors the same option.