Dolphins vs Knights, Momentum One Day Cup 2020, Today Match Prediction 17 Mar 2020

dolphins vs kng Match Prediction & Analysis

All the attention seems to be on COVID-19 and the tournaments that are being cancelled or postponed due to it. However, the Momentum One-Day is being continued behind closed doors. We are into the semi-finals now.

Dolphins face the Knights in the first semi-final of the tournament at Kingsmead in Durban. Dolphins have been the best team of the tournament. It’s only in the last two games in the league phase that they faltered. Even both of those were tight games. Dolphins won five games in a row before losing two on the bounce. But they will be looking to get back to their best in this big semi-final.

Meanwhile, Knights have picked up momentum in the recent past. After starting their campaign with no wins from the first four games, they've done really well to reach the semi-finals. They’ve won three out of their last four games (one washout).

TEAMS PREVIEW

Dolphins Preview

The Dolphins batting line-up has been very good for a large part of this tournament. Wicket-keeper batsman Grant Roelofsen’s form has been excellent and he’s made 588 runs at an average of 65.33. He has scored five half-centuries and a ton. His opening partner Sarel Erwee has been good too as he’s amassed 379 runs at an average of 42.11. Marques Ackerman and Khaya Zondo have had decent runs but they’ve been inconsistent as well. They’ve made more than 250 runs each in this season of the Momentum One-Day Cup.

Meanwhile, Robbie Frylinck’s all-round show has been vital in Dolphins’ winning run in this tournament. He has a strike-rate of 105.14 with the bat and has picked up 13 wickets from eight games with the ball. Daryn Dupavillon has been good with the ball and Keshav Maharaj might be back for the knockouts.

Hence, the left-arm spinner was in the terrific form before he was picked in the ODI team. He has taken 16 wickets from seven games at an average of 14.68.

Dolphins Predicted Playing XI:

Sarel Erwee, Grant Roelofsen (wk), Marques Ackerman, Cody Chetty, Khaya Zondo, Senuran Muthusamy, Robbie Frylinck, Prenelan Subrayen (c), Daryn Dupavillon, Lifa Ntanzi/Okuhle Cele, Andile Mokgakane/Keshav Maharaj

Knights Preview

It’s the bowling that’s winning Knights the games in this tournament and the batting has had to chase some lowish and under-par totals in the last few games. Shaun von Berg and Mbulelo Budaza have been the stars with the ball as each of them has picked up 18 wickets apiece. The former has a strike-rate of 26.5 while Budaza is striking once every 21 deliveries.

Ottniel Baartman hasn’t done too badly either and has 10 wickets to his name in this tournament. With the bat, it’s been the two openers that have been doing the bulk of the scoring. Andries Gous and Jacques Snyman have been excellent. Gous has aggregated 326 runs at an average of 54.33 while Snyman has made 298 runs at an average of 42.57. Moreover, Snyman’s strike-rate is a phenomenal 152.04. The likes of Patrick Kruger and Keegan Petersen have been very inconsistent and they will need to step up in the knockout games.

Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Andries Gous, Jacques Snyman, Patrick Kruger, Keegan Petersen, Raynard van Tonder, Grant Mokoena, Wandile Makwetu (c & wk), Shaun von Berg, Mbulelo Budaza, Ottniel Baartman, Marco Jansen

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It might be a decent surface to bat on but there will be some help for the fast bowlers. Weather-wise, there is some rain expected in the lead up to the game. However, it is likely to clear up on match day. There are only about 10% chances that rain may play spoilsport.

Venue Details

Kingsmead in Durban is one of the big international venues in South Africa. It is one venue where the ball zips through under lights and there is some assistance for the bowlers, especially the pacers. The average first innings score at this venue in this tournament has been around 253.

Toss: To Bat

The toss might be a little crucial with the team winning the toss looking to bat first. Knights have won all their games chasing and it’s largely the bowlers who’ve set up the win. However, with the history of Durban and a big game, they might want to bat first and put the opposition under pressure.