Eastern Storm vs South Western Districts, CSA Provincial One-Day Cup 2023 Division 2, Today Match Prediction 04 October 2023

estorm vs swd Match Prediction & Analysis

This has been a season to forget for Eastern Storm. They have managed just one victory from four games so far and are stranded at the bottom of the table with just 4 points and a net run rate of -1.983. With three games still left, the Easterns will be hoping to climb up the ladder and make a comeback. Their next match is against South Western Districts at Willowmoore Park on October 4. South Western Districts are in third place currently with 11 points and a net run rate of -0.153. They have two matches left to confirm their spot in the top two.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Eastern Storm Preview

Eastern Storm are coming off two big losses – by 230 runs against South Africa Emerging Players and by 56 runs in their last match against the Knights.

The team’s batting simply hasn’t clicked so far. Their top-scorer is Shaylen Pillay with 150 runs in 4 innings. He too had an ordinary start to the season but an unbeaten 96 in the previous match against the Knights took him to the top of the team’s batting charts.

Another batter who has made an impact is Aron Visser, who has scored 111 runs in just 3 innings at an average of 37 and a strike rate of 112. His cameos down the order have been really useful to the Easterns.

We are expecting some runs from opener Mark Pearse. He has looked in decent touch but hasn’t really got going. This might just be his game.

On the bowling front, it’s Wesley Marshall and Divan Posthumus who have been the most consistent, with 7 wickets each. 

Eastern Storm Predicted Playing XI:

Wesley Marshall, Mark Pearse, Kabelo Sekhukhune, Danie Rossouw (wk), Shaylen Pillay, Shane Dadswell (c), Aron Visser, Divan Posthumus, Andrew Rasemene, Neo Siyabulela Felane, Chad Classen

South Western Districts Preview

South Western Districts are coming off a 7-wicket loss to South Africa Emerging Players. After opting to bat first at the Recreation Ground at Oudtshoorn, they were bowled out for just 146 in 40.2 overs. South Africa Emerging Players then chased the target in 25.4 overs with 7 wickets in hand.

Kelly Smuts has been their batter to watch out for this year. The middle-order batsman has scored 150 runs in 4 innings this season at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 141.50.

Captain Jean du Plessis has led from the front, scoring 144 runs in 4 innings so far at a solid average of 48 and a strike rate of 91. He has already scored a hundred this season and we are backing him to add another fifty-plus score before the end of the tournament.

Also keep an eye out for opener Ruan Terblanche, In just 3 innings, he has collected 137 runs at an average of 45.66 and a strike rate of 72.87.

The team’s most successful bowler this year has been Thomas Kaber. The left-arm spinner has nabbed 8 wickets already at a terrific average of 19.25. Fast bowlers Khwezi Gumede (6 wickets in 4 innings) and Marcello Piedt (5 wickets in 3 innings) have been doing a consistent job as well. 
 

South Western Districts Predicted Playing XI:

Ruan Terblanche, Hanno Kotze, Mathew Christensen, Jean du Plessis (c), Jhedli van Briesies (wk), Kelly Smuts, Thomas Kaber, Liyabona Malife, Marcello Piedt, Khwezi Gumede, Sintu Majeza

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at Willowmoore Park has something in it for both batters and bowlers. Seam bowlers, particularly will get consistent bounce and movement off the surface. However, once the first few overs have gone by, batting in the first half gets a lot easier. 

The weather in Benoni will be sunny to partly cloudy and very warm.
 

Venue Details

The average score batting first in ODIs at Willowmoore Park is just 237. However, in the first match of the tournament played here this year, South Africa Emerging Players smashed 362-9 after batting first against South Africa Emerging Players. This year, the pitch seems to be loaded with runs and the team batting first should look to set a target of around 300-320 runs.

Toss: To Bat

Two matches have been played at Willowmoore Park this season in the CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division Two, and both have been won quite comfortably by the team batting first. Thus, the toss-winning team is likely to bat first.