Durban Heat vs Paarl Rocks, Mzansi Super League 2018, Today Match Prediction 28 Nov 2018

dh vs pr Match Prediction & Analysis

The MSL has attracted a TV viewership of around 3.4 million over the weekend and is making a big attraction among the cricket loving crowd. The crowds are expected to increase as the tournament approaches the business end. Speaking of the business end, Both the teams Durban Heat and Paarl Rocks have not had a good time in the league so far. Both teams have won just one game and placed in the bottom half of the table.

The home team Durban heats are struggling to make big scores consistently. Their Top order batsmen Amla, Van Wyk, Klassen and Miller are yet to make an impact in the tournament. Middle order batsmen Zondo, Morkel & Philander are making useful contributions towards the fag end of the innings. On the bowling front, Philander, Merchant de Lange and Kyle Abbott have performed well except their last match against Nelson Mandela Bay Giants where they captured just one wicket. Spinner Keshav Maharaj has a mixed bag of results with good performances followed by some ordinary ones. Durban Heat would want to win this crucial encounter to keep themselves in the hunt for the qualifiers.

Paarl Rocks are on high on morale after achieving their maiden victory by ending the four-match winning streak of Cape Town Blitz. Their captain Faf du Plessis led from the front in their maiden victory. They possess a host of batting stars such as Henry Davids, Aiden Markram, Skipper Faf, Van Jaarswald followed by keeper Mosehle. David Wiese and Fortuin form the all-rounder combo with the duties of batting down the order and pace bowling department. They are accompanied by inexperienced Dane Peterson and Tshepo Moreki in the pace bowling front. T20 specialist Tabraiz Shamsi is their lone spinner. The bowling lacks the firepower and depth by missing their star all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. They would like to test the newbies in the team such as Grant Thompson, Kerwin Mungroo and Eathan Bosch.

DURBAN HEAT PREVIEW

 Expected Playing XI: Albie Morkel/ Sarel Erwee, Heinrich Klassen, Hashim Amla, Morne Van Wyk (Wk), Khaya Zondo (C), David Miller, Vern Philander, T Bokako, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Abbott, Merchant de Lange

Albie Morkel suffered a wrist injury last match and his availability is subject to fitness. Khaya Zondo is expected to take over the captaincy role in the absence of Morkel. Sarel Erwee might get a chance in the playing XI.

Key Players:

Hashim Amla – Post-injury, Amla has been not among runs and would love to get back into the groove and prove his class. Amla would be eager to get some runs and form before the tournament reached the business end.

David Miller – The dashing left-hander is yet to make a mark in this league and with the absence of Morkel, he is expected to play a big knock and score quick runs.

Vern Philander – Philander will be expected to make some inroads with the new ball and stop the run flow. His batting is much needed towards the end of the innings.

Missing player: Rashid Khan, Albie Morkel (subject to fitness)

Stats from recent matches:

Khaya Zondo – 100 runs at strike rate 120 (HS -49*)

Kyle Abbott – 5 wickets at an economy of 7.3 rpo

PAARL ROCKS PREVIEW

Expected Playing XI: Faf du Plessis (C), Henry Davids, Aiden Markram, Van Jaarsweld, Mangaliso Mosehle (Wk), Grant Thompson/Micheal Klinger, David Wiese, Bjorn Fortuin, Tambraiz Shamsi, Tshepo Moreki, Dane Peterson/ Kerwin Mungroo

Key players:

Faf du Plessis – Fresh from his match-winning fifty, Faf would be keen to bat sensibly and help his team to continue to winning momentum.

David Wiese – The all-rounder is yet to make a telling contribution with bat and ball in the league. He would like to contribute to the team performance both with the bat and ball.

Bjorn Fortuin – Fortuin was outstanding in the last match with match figures of 4-0-15-4.

He should look to capture some wickets at the start of the match to restrict the opposition.

Missing player: Dwayne Bravo, Cameron Delport

Stats from recent matches:

Henry Davids – 73 runs at strike rate 160 (HS-160)

Dane Peterson - 5 wickets at an economy of 10.4 rpo

Weather Conditions

The recent weather at Durban has been rainy and showers are expected to interrupt the match. Durban pitch has a good carry and bounce to assist seamers. The overcast conditions might help the bowlers swing the ball early in the innings. The average score might be around 150-160 runs considering the pitch favorable to the bowlers. 

TOSS : WIN the toss, BOWL First

Durban has been a happy hunting ground for chasing teams. With overcast conditions and rain interruptions into consideration, both teams would like to bat second knowing their DL score. Dew factor further tilts the match in the favor chasing team.

Toss: to Bowl