Dolphins vs Titans, CSA T20 Challenge 2019, Today Match Prediction 20 Apr 2019

dolphins vs tit Match Prediction & Analysis

CSA T20 Challenge 2019 has seen more rains than action on the field and both Dolphins and the Titans have seen two out of their five games being washed away due to rain. The two sides now meet in the 17th game of the season at the City Oval, Pietermaritzburg and would be desperate for a win. They have lost two games each so far in the season and won only one each which has put them under lot of pressure. 

The two sides have shared a great rivalry over the years but Titans have had slight edge over the Dolphins. The next game between them is expected to be competitive and it would be interesting to see if the Dolphins are able to improve their record against the Titans. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Dolphins Preview

Khaya Zondo’s side again saw their last game against the Warriors being washed away due to rain the second such instance in the season. In their previous game against the Cape Cobras the side had suffered a close defeat. With a single win so far the side would be hoping to win against the Titans and go up on the points table. 

The openers Sarel Erwee and Morne van Wyk need to give the team a good start but Erwee’s poor form has become a problem for the side. Robbie Frylinck and skipper Khaya Zondo have done well so far in the tournament and they would be looking to do well in the next game. Cody Chetty and Sibonelo Makhanya have great hitting abilities and the team would depend on them in the next game. 

Their bowling would depend on the performance of Prenelan Subrayen and Keshav Maharaj who have done well so far in the tournament. But the form of the rest of the bowlers is bit concerning and the side would like to see better form from the likes of Robbie Frylinck, Daryn Dupavillon and Lwandiswa Zuma in the next game. 

Dolphins Predicted Playing XI:

Morne van Wyk (wk), Robbie Frylinck, Prenelan Subrayen, Cody Chetty, Keshav Maharaj, Khaya Zondo (c), Sibonelo Makhanya, Daryn Dupavillon, Sarel Erwee, Lwandiswa Zuma, Marques Ackerman

Dolphins Actual Playing XI:

P Subrayen, Sibonelo Makhanya, C Chetty, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Sarel Erwee, Daryn Dupavillon, Marques Ackerman, Mv Wyk, Khaya Zondo, Robbie Frylinck

Titans Preview

It was a lackluster performance from Farhaan Behardien’s side that saw them going down against the Lions in the last game. They bowled poorly to concede a huge score and when it came to their batting they didn’t get off to the start they needed to score the required runs. The next game is important for the side and Behardien would like to win it and rise up on the points table. 

Theunis de Bruyn and Diego Rosier did well in the last game and continued with the form they have shown in this season so far. Openers Henry Davids and Tony de Zorzi haven’t done well so far in the season and this is causing problems for the side. Grant Thomson has also looked in good form and will need to do well towards the end of the innings along with skipper Farhaan Behardien to win the game. 

The problem for the side has been with its bowling. While Junior Dala did well to pick up three wickets in the last game and Gregory Mahlokwana bowled an economical spell the rest of the bowlers failed. Eldred Hawken and Shaun von Berg will need to bowl in the right areas for the side to win.

Titans Predicted Playing XI:

Farhaan Behardien (c), Tony de Zorzi, Henry Davids, Theunis de Bruyn, Diego Rosier, Rubin Hermann (wk), Grant Thomson, Shaun von Berg, Eldred Hawken, Junior Dala, Gregory Mahlokwana

Titans Actual Playing XI:

Shaun von Berg, Henry Davids, Tony de Zorzi, Theunis de Bruyn, JD Vandiar, Junior Dala, Rubin Hermann, Gregory Mahlokwana, Farhaan Behardien, GM Thomson, Eldred Hawken

Weather Conditions

There are chances of heavy showers at Pietermaritzburg on the 20th of April and this will make playing conditions extremely tough even if there is a game. It won’t be easy to bat on the surface and the bowlers would also find it difficult to grip a wet ball. Score upwards of 140 would be a fighting total on this ground. 

Venue

The beautiful City Oval, Pietermaritzburg is a good ground for T20 cricket. The green surface offers good assistance to the fast bowlers in the early overs and the smaller size of the straight boundaries makes it easy to hit big shots. The batsmen and bowlers have had even battles at this ground in the past. 

Toss: To Bowl

Given the weather forecast most captains would like to win the toss and invite the opposition to bat first on this pitch. The side chasing the score would have the advantage in the eventuality of the match being curtailed by rain and hence the team winning the toss is likely to bowl first.