Joburg Super Kings vs Paarl Royals, SA20 2023, Today Match Prediction 03 February 2023

jsk vs pr Match Prediction & Analysis

SA20 is back after a short break. The last game in the league was played on the 24th of January. The league is all set to resume after the SA vs ENG ODI series.

Joburg Super Kings have 3 more games left in their campaign while Paarl Royals have just two more. The race to playoffs is getting close for everyone except the table toppers. This match is significant in that context and the Super Kings would be looking for their 3rd consecutive win at home.

The hosts haven’t been in the best of form in the batting department. The last win must have boosted their confidence after successfully chasing 179 runs at home. Like the hosts, Paarl Royals too have won their last two consecutive matches batting second.

The Miller-led Royals chased down 131 and 159 runs in their last two games respectively. Phehlukwayo, Lungi Ngidi, and Shamsi will be the key bowlers to help Paarl continue their dominance.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Joburg Super Kings Preview

Faf du Plessis scored an unbeaten hundred the last time Joburg Super Kings played at this venue. Reeza Hendricks also played a good knock opening alongside the skipper.

Though it was a big win for the home team, it did not put an end to their batting woes. Hendricks’ performance may give some hope to the Kings going ahead.

However, overall it has been an inconsistent batting lineup with only a few reliable batsmen. Faf du Plessis at the top and Leus du Plooy in the middle are key players for Joburg in the batting order. In the early stage of the league, Donavon Ferreira emerged as a match-winning player lower down the order.

He is a promising match finisher. Leus and Ferreira are responsible for building partnerships in the middle. Joburg have got batting all-rounder Neil Brand in the XI. And he can be another promising addition in the middle order.

Romario Shepherd can come in handy with their ability to hit the long ball. Alzarri Joseph and Gerald Coetzee are the key pacers in the bowling attack.

They haven’t been consistent much and the skipper would be looking for other bowling options to come good in this match. Romario Shepherd can be economical while Aaron Phangiso can deliver timely breakthroughs.

Joburg Super Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Faf du Plessis (c), Reeza Hendricks, Neil Brand, Sibonelo Makhanya, Leus du Plooy, Donavon Ferreira (wk), Romario Shepherd, Aaron Phangiso, Gerald Coetzee, Alzarri Joseph, Maheesh Theekshana

Joburg Super Kings Actual Playing XI:

Nandre Burger, Sibonelo Makhanya, Faf du Plessis, Gerald Coetzee, Maheesh Theekshana, Reeza Hendricks, Kyle Simmonds, Leus du Plooy, Donovan Ferreira, Matthew Wade, Romario Shepherd

Paarl Royals Preview

Paarl Royals have two more games left and they would aim at winning both to secure a spot in the playoffs. After failing to chase down 143 runs against MI Cape Town, Paarl Royals bounced back quickly.

They chased down a 159-run target in the very next match against Pretoria Capitals. The bowlers also continued their dominance as in the next match, Royals restricted the opposition to 130-7 bowling first. 

Roy, Buttler, and Miller will be back from the ODI series and have been in great touch. Some of the most impactful T20 players in the world, these three can deliver game-changing knocks once they get going.

Wihan Lubbe, Dane Vilas, and Mitchell van Buuren form the rest of the Paarl batting lineup. These three have played at different positions in the batting order in recent games.

None of them has made a big impact so far. They can be handy partners for Roy, Buttler, and Miller in the run chase. Lungi Ngidi, Phehlukwayo, and Fortuin will be the key bowlers in the Royals squad to watch out for.

Evan Jones has also made some significant contributions with the ball lately. After being expensive in previous encounters, Jones seems to have found his rhythm and can be an impact player for Paarl.

Paarl Royals Predicted Playing XI:

Jason Roy, Wihan Lubbe, Jos Buttler (wk), Dane Vilas, David Miller (c), Mitchell Van Buuren, Andile Phehlukwayo, Evan Jones, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

Paarl Royals Actual Playing XI:

Evan Jones, Mitchell Van Buuren, Jason Roy, Tabraiz Shamsi, David Miller, Jos Buttler, Dane Vilas, Wihan Lubbe, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch is great for batting and it was seen in the last match where the hosts chased down a 175+ target with 8 wickets in hand. The batters would enjoy playing their strokes here and we expect some power hitting in the death overs from both teams. Thunderstorms are expected on the match day in Johannesburg with a high of 22 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg is an iconic venue known for many batting fireworks over the years. This is where South Africa successfully chased down 434 runs in an ODI against Australia. The average 1st innings score here in T20Is is 173 runs and 164 in domestic T20s.

Toss: To Bowl

Both teams have won their last two consecutive matches batting second. Paarl Royals have been exceptional in both departments. The hosts managed to easily chase down a 179-run target in their last match here. The current form and the pitch conditions would make it ideal to bowl first and chase down a total on this ground.