Eastern Storm vs South Western Districts, CSA 4-Day Division 2, Today Match Prediction

ES vs SWD Match Prediction & Analysis

Match 20 of the CSA Four-Day Series Division Two pits Eastern Storm against South Western Districts. Both teams enter the contest following losses in their previous outings. South Western Districts hold the fourth position in the standings, while Eastern Storm currently occupy the last spot. Looking at the overall team strength, South Western Districts appear to have a slight upper hand heading into this contest.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Eastern Storm Preview

Eastern Storm's season is over now after five straight losses dropped them to the bottom of the table with just 27.88 points. With one game remaining, they’ll be aiming for a win to close things out on a better note.

For that to happen, their batting lineup needs to deliver. Captain Grant Thomson has been their most dependable batter, scoring 333 runs in 10 innings at an average of 33.30. Christopher Britz and Divan Posthumus have also contributed, both crossing 290 runs while keeping up a steady scoring rate.

Tumelo Simelane has been their standout performer with the ball, taking 19 wickets in six innings at an average of 29.57. Andrew Rasemene and Kabelo Sekhukhune have provided support, sharing 35 wickets between them. If Eastern Storm wants to sign off with a win, their bowlers must take control in the middle overs.

Eastern Storm Predicted Playing XI:

Mekyle Pillay, Kyle Landsberg, Christopher Britz, Kabelo Sekhukhune, Shaylen Pillay, Grant Thomson (c), Danie Rossouw (wk), Divan Posthumus, Andrew Rasemene, Amaan Khan, Tumelo Simelane

South Western Districts Preview

South Western Districts haven't had the kind of season they were hoping for. After five matches, they remain in fourth place with 69.6 points, just behind Border, who have 73.16. With one group-stage game left, they are out of the running for the finals, but they’ll be looking to finish on a positive note.

Yaseen Valli has been their standout performer with the bat, scoring 425 runs across 10 innings, including a century and two fifties. George Van Heerden has been just as dependable, with 414 runs in nine innings at an impressive average of 59.14. Their contributions will be important in the final game.

Luke Beaufort has also been solid, making 320 runs in six innings at an average of 40.

Pheko Moletsane has been the star of the bowling attack, taking 11 wickets at an average of 15.54. Sintu Majeza has matched that wicket count but with a higher average of 35.36. Meanwhile, Jarred Jardine has taken eight wickets in five games.

South Western Districts Predicted Playing XI:

Yaseen Valli (c), Kyle Jacobs, Keenan Vieira, George Van Heerden, Kelly Smuts, Luke Beaufort (wk), Pheko Moletsane, Jarred Jardine, Enathi Kitshini, Regan Rhode, Sintu Majeza, Tyrese Karelse

Weather Conditions

Willowmoore Park offers a balanced surface initially favoring seamers with good carry and bounce. The pitch tends to flatten out on days two and three, becoming excellent for batting. By day four, expect increasing assistance for spinners as cracks develop and variable bounce emerges. Overhead conditions in Benoni often influence swing bowling effectiveness. The outfield is typically fast and well-maintained, rewarding good strokeplay.

The weather will be cloudy for most of the game with brief spells of sunshine. There is a forecast of drizzle in the afternoon on the first and second days of the match.  

ES vs SWD Pitch Report

This season, Willowmoore Park has offered a pretty solid batting surface and some high scores already. KwaZulu-Natal Inland’s  550-5 (dec.) is the highest score at the venue in this season of the CSA Four-Day Series Division Two. We reckon, both teams will be eyeing a score of around 350+ in their first innings.

Toss: To Bowl

The weather in Benoni on the first day of the match is expected to be cloudy with chances of rain. In these cloudy conditions, fielding first would be the ideal option to try and pluck out early wickets and keep the opposition on the bakcfoot.