Lions vs Dolphins, 4-Day Franchise Series 2022-23, Today Match Prediction 12 March 2023

lio vs dol Match Prediction & Analysis

Lions will be looking to finish on a winning note to ensure they finish in the top 3 of the Division 1 points table. They have a big challenge on their hands as they face the Dolphins juggernaut. 

Even if the Dolphins have won their last 4 back to back matches, Lions’ skipper Dominic Hendricks would still be confident of a win here.

Though they may not have won as many games, they’ve definitely performed well in all the matches so far. Forutin, Magala, and Sipamla are the in-form frontline bowlers who are leading the charge for the Lions.

It was Fortuin and Magala who led them to a 28-run win over Western Province in spite of trailing by 100 runs after the 1st innings. Dolphins also have the bowlers to credit for their wins.

Prenelan Subrayen and JJ Smuts have led the bowling effort from the Dolphins and have consistently been the match-winners for the side. It will be a great contest between two well-matched teams. Both of them also have a deep batting order with reliable players in the middle and lower order.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Lions Preview

The top-order is in great form and will be crucial in this match. Skipper Dominic Hendricks and Joshua Richards are consistent and can put a strong opening stand against the Dolphins.

Reeza Hendricks comes in at number 3 and that makes this Lions' top-order very promising. The 33-year-old batsman scored 67 in his last innings and was part of an 88-run stand for the 2nd wicket with Joshua Richards.

While the top 3 have been consistent and one or the other has stepped up and delivered, even the lower-order batters have shown great promise in recent outings. In their win over Western Province in Johannesburg, Bjorn Fortuin scored an unbeaten 123 at number 7 in the 1st innings.

Whereas, Malusi Siboto scored 52 runs at number 9 in the same innings. These performances came after Lions had lost 3 wickets for just 22 runs and later were reeling at 123-7. Their wicket-keeper batsman Ryan Rickleton, who scored a hundred against the Warriors, was replaced by Connor Esterhuizen in the next game.

Rickleton is part of the South Africa side for the West Indies Tests. As such, the middle-order responsibility lies with Mitchell van Buuren and Esterhuizen. Fortuin, Sipamla, and Siboto will be the key bowlers to watch out for. These three can put the Lions on top of the game.

Lions Predicted Playing XI:

Joshua Richards, Dominic Hendricks (c), Reeza Hendricks, Kagiso Rapulana, Mitchell Van Buuren, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Bjorn Fortuin, Sisanda Magala, Malusi Siboto, Codi Yusuf, Lutho Sipamla

Dolphins Preview

4 back to back wins have put the Dolphins far ahead in the points table with 109 points from 6 matches. They would be carrying the winning momentum and confidence as they face an in-form Lions in their last Test of the season.

Skipper Sarel Erwee also has a great middle order that is reliable and has led the side out of a top-order collapse. However, their recent games haven’t been high-scoring ones and it is the bowlers who have put them in the winning position.

Sarel Erwee and Jason Smith are the only players to have scored a century in the last three Tests for the Dolphins. Erwee scored a hundred against the Knights in the 2nd innings while Jason Smith was the top scorer with 136 runs in the 1st innings of their last Test.

Khaya Zondo and Smith will be crucial for the Dolphins in the middle order. There are all-rounders like JJ Smuts, Andile Phehlukwayo, and Eathan Bosch who can make handy contributions lower down the order.

Bosch wasn’t part of the XI in the last match and should be brought back along with Ottniel Baartman.  The bowling attack has some promising players but is at the moment carried on the shoulders of Smuts and Subrayen.

With Bosch and Baartman back in the side, the Dolphins can strengthen their bowling attack and also add depth to the batting order.

Dolphins Predicted Playing XI:

Sarel Erwee (c), Tshepang Dithole, Marques Ackerman, Khaya Zondo, Grant Roelofsen (wk), JJ Smuts, Andile Phehlukwayo, Prenelan Subrayen, Eathan Bosch, Daryn Dupavillon, Jason Smith

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It looks like a good pitch for batting. The last 4-Day Franchise Test played here saw the batters score well in a rain-affected match. Spinners can come into play as the match progresses and JJ Smut and Subrayen in the Dolphins lineup would play a key role. Scattered thunderstorms are expected on Day 1 of the match with a high of 31 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

Senwes Park in Potchefstroom will be the venue for this match. The average 1st innings score at this venue is 355 runs and in the 2nd innings, it is 401. The team batting first must aim at scoring over 350 runs to give themselves a good chance of staying in the contest in the 2nd innings.

Toss: To Bowl

There have been only two Test matches played on this ground. The team bowling first won one of these two games and also scored higher in the 1st innings than the team batting first. Lions and Dolphins have a reliable and consistent bowling attack. Dolphins haven’t had the best of time with the bat and would like their bowlers to give them the upper hand.