Dolphins vs Cape Cobras, Momentum One Day Cup 2020, Today Match Prediction 09 Feb 2020

dolphins vs cobras Match Prediction & Analysis

It’s the eighth game of the Momentum One-Day Cup and it is the Dolphins who face Cape Cobras at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg. While Dolphins have won both their games so far, Cape Cobras have won one and lost one.

Dolphins started their campaign with a confidence-boosting win. They defended 209 against the Knights and did it in style. They won by 94 runs, which helped them even earn a bonus point. Their second game was a rain-affected one and the match was reduced to 39 overs. They chased down a big total and made it two in two. The Dolphins hunted down 289 inside 39 overs and are looking excellent in this tournament.

Meanwhile, Cape Cobras had a good start to the tournament as well. They scored 274 batting first in the first game and defended it well and got over the line by 31 runs. In the last game, the bowling leaked a little too many runs. The Lions plundered 320 in 50 overs and the Cobras batting line-up couldn’t chase it down. It was a slow start and that meant they had to play catch up all the time.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Dolphins Preview

The Dolphins batting line-up has had contrasting games so far. They scored just 209 in the first game before they hunted down a massive score inside 39 overs. Grant Roelofsen has led the charge at the top of the order. He scored a fantastic ton – 147 not out to lead Dolphins to a win. Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Marques Ackerman and Khaya Zondo have got starts in different games but they will want to convert those small starts into significant scores. They form a key part of the Dolphins middle-order. Senuran Muthusamy provides the balance and he had a very good game with the bat last time around.

Robbie Frylinck has also started the season decently with both bat and ball. On the other hand, the old workhorse Imran Tahir has been the leading wicket-taker for the Dolphins in this tournament. The leg-spinner has taken five wickets and has gone to an economy of 5.27. Kerwin Mungroo has done well too as he’s picked up four wickets. Keshav Maharaj has exhibited excellent control.

Dolphins Predicted Playing XI:

Sarel Erwee, Grant Roelofsen (wk), Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Marques Ackerman, Khaya Zondo, Senuran Muthusamy, Robbie Frylinck, Keshav Maharaj (c), Imran Tahir, Kerwin Mungroo, Okuhle Cele

Dolphins Actual Playing XI:

Grant Roelofsen, P Subrayen, Sibonelo Makhanya, Imran Tahir, Keshav Maharaj, Sarel Erwee, Kerwin Mungroo, Marques Ackerman, R Frylinck, Khaya Zondo, VBV Jaarsveld

Cape Cobras Preview

The batting has done a decent job in the last couple of games. Pieter Malan has looked good and scored a fine ton in the first game, leading the charge with the bat for the Cape Cobras. But Hanno Kotze’s form hasn’t been the greatest in the recent past. Cape Cobras will hope he gets back to his best. They boast of a solid middle order.

Zubayr Hamza has looked good while the likes of Jason Smith, Aviwe Mgijima and George Linde hold vital positions in the middle order. Moreover, they have done decently in the first two games as well. Smith scored 76 in the first game and backed it up 41 in the second. Linde has looked good and may be deemed as the finisher of this side. He’s been a wicket-taker with the ball as well as he’s taken four wickets already.

With the ball, Thando Ntini has been very impressive in the two games so far. He’s picked up five wickets at an average of 17.60. Rory Kleinveldt and Dane Paterson have looked in decent rhythm too.

Cape Cobras Predicted Playing XI:

Pieter Malan, Hanno Kotze (wk), Zubayr Hamza, Simon Khomari, Jason Smith, Aviwe Mgijima, George Linde, Rory Kleinveldt, Dane Piedt (c), Dane Paterson, Thando Ntini

Cape Cobras Actual Playing XI:

Thando Ntini, George Linde, Zubayr Hamza, Dane Piedt, Dane Paterson, Mihlali Mpongwana, JF Smith, Pieter Malan, Aviwe Mgijima, Nandre Burger, Hanno Kotze

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather does not look promising in Pietermaritzburg. There is a lot of rain predicted throughout the day and we may well be in for a shortened game. In fact, there’s about a 70-80% chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. The pitch is likely to be a good one to bat on but there might be help for the pacers early on.

Venue Details

This is the first game of the season at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg. The weather might play spoilsport but this is a multiple-purpose venue. It’s a scenic ground as well which regularly hosts domestic cricket in South Africa. But it is scheduled to host only two games in this Momentum Cup this time.

Toss: To Bowl

With so much rain around, both teams will want to bowl first. Both teams have done well batting first as well but it’s been a trend in this tournament and the rain will also have a big say which will most likely prompt the captains to field first and chase in this game.