Jozi Stars vs Durban Heat, Mzansi Super League 2019, Today Match Prediction 07 Dec 2019

js vs dh Match Prediction & Analysis

Reigning Champions Jozi Stars will be desperate to earn a consolation win when they face Durban Heat in the 27th match of Mzansi Super League to be played at The Wanderers, Johannesburg on Saturday.

With Jozi Stars already out of the competition, Temba Bavuma and co. will be looking to end their winless streak in this home fixture. The home side will be looking to make changes to their playing XI in a bid to earn a consolation win over Durban Heat.

On the other hand, Durban Heat will need to win this game at all costs in order to remain in the playoff race of the competition. The side seems to peaking at the right time after notching up consecutive victories in the last three fixtures.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Jozi Stars Preview

The franchise has struggled to perform as a unit in this year’s competition. The bowling has certainly lacked the potency to pick up wickets in the middle phase of the innings. Jozi Stars might bring in new players in order to break their losing streak in the tournament.

The previous encounter against Tshwane Spartans was abandoned due to heavy rains. The side is currently lying at the bottom of the league table with 2 points to their name. In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen to deliver the bulk of the runs. Hendricks has shown excellent form at the top of the innings for Jozi Stars. He will be looking to make a notable contribution against Durban Heat. Chris Gayle has been a sheer disappointment for the side in this year’s competition. With 101 runs in 6 matches at an average of 16.83, Gayle has struggled to deliver big scores for Jozi Stars this season.

Left-hander will be looking to put in a big performance in this dead rubber. Captain Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen have shown consistency with the bat in this year’s competition. The team management will be hoping that the duo can come up with crucial scores in this fixture. In the bowling department, the side has looked heavily reliant on pacer Kagiso Rabada to make crucial breakthroughs with the new ball. Besides Rabada, the bowling attack has lacked control and potency to take wickets in this year’s competition

Jozi Stars Predicted Playing XI:

Temba Bavuma (c), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier,Shoaib Malik, Daniel Christian, Aaron Phangiso, Lizard Williams, T Ryan Rickelton, Sinethemba Qeshile (wk)

Durban Heat Preview

Dane Vilas and co. will be looking to continue their winning momentum when they lock horns with Jozi Stars at the Wanderers. Confidence will be sky-high for Durban Heat as they managed to win three games on the trot in the competition. The side will need to win this game in order to keep their playoff hopes in the tournament. Chasing 196 runs to win, Alex Hales got the side off to an excellent start. Despite losing Wesley Marshall and Wihan Lubbe, Hales continued to play his shots and score runs at a brisk rate. He put on a 62-run partnership with David Miller to keep Durban Heat in the hunt to win the game. Alex Hales was the star of the show with the bat for Durban Heat and smashed a scintillating 97 not out off 55 balls with the help of nine fours and four sixes. It was due to his breathtaking innings, Durban managed to complete the chase in the penultimate over of the innings.

Experienced middle-order batsman David Miller chipped in with crucial innings against Paarl Rocks. Left-hander scored a quick-fire 40 runs off 22 balls with the help of one four and three sixes. In the bowling department, the side will be relying on Keshav Maharaj, Andile Phehlukwayo and Malusi Siboto to make crucial breakthroughs. Medium-pacer Malusi Siboto was the pick of the bowlers for the side against Paarl Rocks and finished with figures of one for 29 in four overs.

Durban Heat Predicted Playing XI:

Dane Vilas (captain & wk), Kyle Abbott, Andile Phehlukwayo, Ravi Bopara, David Miller, Alex Hales, Malusi Siboto, Keshav Maharaj, Daryn Dupavillon, Wihan Lubbe, Wesley Marshall

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared for the game is expected to a placid with plenty of runs for the batsmen. The bowlers will need to hit the right lengths to pick wickets on this surface. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Thursday is expected to be heavy rains throughout day.

Venue Details

Host Jozi Stars have lost all their games played so far this season at The Wanderers in Johannesburg. The home side will take heart from the fact they have won last two matches against Durban Heat.

Toss: To Bowl

Due to rain expected to play a role in the game, the side that wins the toss would be looking to bowl first. Batting second will be preferred by both the teams.