Knights vs Titans, Momentum One Day Cup, Today Match Prediction 23 Mar 2019

kng vs tit Match Prediction & Analysis

The league games in Momentum Cup 2019 are coming to an end and in the 29th game of the season Knights would take in Titans at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein. It will be the last game for both the sides. Titans are currently the table toppers but come into this game after a heartbreaking loss against the Lions. For Knights there hasn’t been much to write about in this season as they have managed only two wins so far. 

In the earlier game between the two sides Titans had won comfortably and in fact they have won the last three games between the two sides. Knights have an uphill task on their hand given the current form they are in going into the next game. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Knights Preview

Just when it seemed Petrus van Biljon’s side had found its form, the side lost the last game against the Cape Cobras miserably. It has been the story of the season for this side and as they play their last game the skipper would want his side to finish on a high. 

Opening stand woes continue for the side as Patrick Kruger and Andries Gous failed in the last game. Rudi Second and Grant Mokoena played well. Apart from Second none of their batsmen have been consistent this season. The side would expect the lines of Keegan Petersen and Petrus van Biljon to do well in the next game as both of them have failed throughout the season. 

Shadley van Schalkwyk bowled exceedingly well in the last game and so did Ryan McLaren and Patrick Kruger but there was little support from others in a low scoring encounter. The likes of Mbulelo Budaza and Marchant de Lange have done well earlier in the season and they would be looking to do well for the last game.

Knights Predicted Playing XI:

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

Knights Actual Playing XI:

AGS Gous, T Ntuli, Grant Mokoena, Keegan Petersen, RS Second, Raynard van Tonder, Ryan McLaren, Marchant de Lange, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Mbulelo Budaza, Patrick Kruger

Titans Preview

Dean Elgar would be upset with their last game's loss against the Lions. They nearly chased down a huge score but for a batting collapse towards the end. They are through to the semis and would want to go into the business end of the tournament with momentum on their side. 

Jonathan Vandiar looks in incredible for after that brilliant hundred in the last game. Skipper Dean Elgar also did well in the last game but rest of the batting failed especially their openers Diego Rosier and Kabelo Sekhukhune. But Heino Kuhn is expected to return to the squad and this will strengthen the batting. Grant Thomson and Farhaan Behardien in the lower middle order also make the batting look strong. 

Junior Dala is in great rhythm at the moment and picked up 4 wickets in the last game which makes it 9 in the last two games. Shimane Alfred Mothoa also did well in the last game and if the likes of Corbin Bosch, Marcello Piedt and Elgar bowl well the side would have a good chance in the next game.

Titans Predicted Playing XI:

Kabelo Sekhukhune, Heino Kuhn, Jonathan Vandiar, Dean Elgar (c), Grant Thomson, Farhaan Behardien, Rivaldo Moonsamy (wk), Junior Dala, Marcello Piedt, Shimane Alfred Mothoa, Corbin Bosch

Titans Actual Playing XI:

TL Moreki, Tony de Zorzi, Theunis de Bruyn, JD Vandiar, Marcello Piedt, Gregory Mahlokwana, GM Thomson, Farhaan Behardien, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Corbin Bosch, Dean Elgar

Weather Conditions

There are chances of showers in Bloemfontein on March 23. This will make it a difficult wicket to bat as the fast bowlers are expected to do well on this surface. Under overcast conditions the side batting first would feel comfortable with a score around the 270 run mark.

VENUE

Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein offers good assistance for bowlers who make use of the pitch as there is good amount of seam movement off the surface. The ball also comes on to the bat easily on this wicket and batsmen who like to play their strokes and hit the ball through the line enjoy batting here.

Toss: To Bowl

There are predictions for rain on the match day and hence the team batting second may have an advantage on this surface. Also fast bowlers would like to exploit the juice on this surface at the start of the game and the captain winning the toss would elect to field first.