Knights vs Lions, Momentum One Day Cup, Today Match Prediction 09 Mar 2019

kng vs lions Match Prediction & Analysis

Having lost all their games so far in the season Knights would be hoping for a turnaround in the 20th game of the season at their home ground Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein where they shall take on the Lions. The batsmen have done poorly for Knights in almost all the games. Lions on the other hand have been slightly better having won one game out of the seven they have played. 

The last game between these two sides was washed off due to rain and both the sides would be eager to win this one. It remains to be seen if the Knights end their losing run in the next game or Lions walk away with the honors. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Knights Preview

The poor run of form continued for Petrus van Biljon's side in the last game as they went down against Dolphins. With the remaining games just being a formality the side would be looking to win the next one and restore some pride. 

Grant Mokoena’s poor form continues in the season but in the last game Keegan Petersen and Andries Gous did play decent knocks. Skipper Petrus van Biljon is also going through a rough patch and would be looking to do well in the next game. Ryan McLaren played a handy knock in the last game and this will add to his confidence going into the next match. 

The bowlers have been doing well for the side in comparison to the batting unit. Marchant de Langeb bowled exceptionally well in the last game and Ryan McLaren also kept the run rate under check. Mbulelo Budaza has done well with the new ball and the side would be hoping for the likes of Eddie Leie and Shadley van Schalkwyk to bowl well in the upcoming game.

Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Ryan McLaren, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Marchant de Lange, Eddie Leie, Rudi Second (wk), Petrus van Biljon (c), Grant Mokoena, Keegan Petersen, Mbulelo Budaza, Patrick Kruger, Andries Gous.

Knights Actual Playing XI:

AGS Gous, Ottneil Baartman, T Ntuli, Grant Mokoena, Keegan Petersen, RS Second, Eddie Leie, Ryan McLaren, Marchant de Lange, PJ van Biljon, Patrick Kruger

Lions Preview

It was heartbreak for Temba Bavuma’s side in the last game against the Cape Cobras where they went down by just three runs after having almost had the game in their bag. The side would look to keep that behind and do well in the next game. 

Dominic Hendricks scored a brilliant hundred in the last game while Ryan Rickelton and Kagiso Rapulana missed out. The two have done well earlier in the season. It was a brilliant middle order knock by Dwaine Pretorius and he nearly took his side home. With Bavuma and Nicky van den Bergh in the lower order the side would be hoping to do well in the next game. 

Bjorn Fortuin has been in great form with the ball this season and Dwaine Pretorius has also done well. Aaron Phangiso has been among the wickets which makes it a decent bowling attack and they would look to restrict the Knights batsmen to a small score in the upcoming game.

Lions Predicted Playing XI:

Ryan Rickelton, Kagiso Rapulana, Dominic Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (c), Nicky van den Bergh, Dwaine Pretorius, Mangaliso Mosehle (wk), Bjorn Fortuin, Aaron Phangiso, Malusi Siboto, Nandre Burger

Lions Actual Playing XI:

Aaron Phangiso, Dominic Hendricks, Mangaliso Mosehle, NJ Van den Bergh, Wihan Lubbe, Bjorn Fortuin, Delano Potgieter, Nandre Burger, Kagiso Rapulana, Temba Bavuma, MP Siboto

Weather Conditions

It is expected to be sunny in Bloemfontein on the 9th of March which would be welcome break from the spell of rains that we have seen. The pitch played well in the last game here which was a high scoring one. The ball is expected to come on to the bat and the side batting first would eye a score in excess of 300

Venue

Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein is good for bowling especially in the initial overs. There is assistance for the fast bowlers but at the same time stroke makers also love to bat on this surface as the ball comes to the bat quickly. The ground has always seen good competition between the bat and the ball. 

Toss: To Bat

The weather is expected to be dry and being an afternoon game it would be a nice wicket to bat on if the batsmen are able to see through the initial few overs. The captain winning the toss would like to bowl first on this surface and set a large total for the opponents to chase.