Lions vs Knights, CSA T20 Challenge 2019, Today Match Prediction 12 Apr 2019

lions vs kng Match Prediction & Analysis

An upbeat Lions would take on Knights in the 8th game of 2019 CSA T20 Challenge at their home ground Senwes Park, Potchefstroom. The hosts would be extremely confident going into this game having won their last game against the Dolphins. The Knights on the other hand saw their last game against the Warriors being washed away and had lost their opening game against the Dolphins. 

The Knights have been in poor form in this long season and had a bad outing in the Momentum Cup. Lions on the other hand look in better form at the moment and it will be interesting to see if the Knights have some surprise in their bag going into this game. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Lions Preview

Temba Bavuma’s side registered a convincing win against the Dolphins in the last game which would have made the skipper happy after their heartbreak in the opening game against the Cape Cobras. The skipper would go into the next game with great amount of confidence. 

Wiaan Mulder played a blinder towards the end to set up a win for the side. Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen got off to starts but were unable to convert them into big scores. Reeza Hendricks missed out in the second consecutive game and would be due for a good score in the next game. The side has got good finishers in Temba Bavuma, Wihan Lubbe and Dwaine Pretorius which makes their batting line-up look very strong. 

Bjorn Fortuin has been in good form in the tournament and along with Aaron Phangiso picked up four wickets in their 8 overs conceding only 30 runs. Dwaine Pretorius also did well in the last game. The presence of Beuran Hendricks, Wiaan Mulder and Malusi Siboto adds a nice mix to the bowling attack and they would be looking to perform well in the next game. 

Lions Predicted Playing XI:

Ryan Rickelton (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma (c), Wihan Lubbe, Dwaine Pretorius, Wiaan Mulder, Bjorn Fortuin, Aaron Phangiso, Malusi Siboto, Beuran Hendricks

Lions Actual Playing XI:

Aaron Phangiso, Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton, Dwaine Pretorius, Willem Mulder, Wihan Lubbe, B Hendricks, Bjorn Fortuin, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, MP Siboto

Knights Preview

Petrus van Biljon’s side saw their last game against the Warriors being washed away. This after the side has suffered a big loss against Dolphins in their first game of the season. They are struggling with their form at the moment and the skipper would hope his side is able to put up a better show in the upcoming game.  

Aubrey Swanepoel was the only batsman in the last game who did put up a good show with the bat. None of the other batsmen were able to convert their starts with the form of Ryan McLaren and Andries Gous being bit of a concern. The likes of Patrick Kruger, Rudi Second and skipper Petrus van Biljon will have to bat well in the next game for the side to do well against a strong Lions side. 

In the bowling department Shadley van Schalkwyk and Eddie Leie were the only ones who were able to put breaks in the scoring rate as other bowlers leaked runs too easily. In the upcoming game the side would expect to see better performances from Thandolwethu Mnyaka, Ryan McLaren and Corne Dry with the ball.

Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Ryan McLaren, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Corne Dry, Eddie Leie, Rudi Second, Petrus van Biljon (c), Grant Mokoena, Thandolwethu Mnyaka, Aubrey Swanepoel, Patrick Kruger, Andries Gous (wk)

Knights Actual Playing XI:

Grant Mokoena, Gerald Coetzee, Raynard van Tonder, Eddie Leie, Shadley van Schalkwyk, T Ntuli, AGS Gous, PJ van Biljon, Ottneil Baartman, Ryan McLaren, Patrick Kruger

Weather Conditions

It is expected to be slightly cloudy with chances of rain at Potchefstroom on the 12th of April. The wicket has got good grass cover and has assisted fast bowlers in the past. With the amount of moisture that the pitch has soaked in it isn’t going to be easy to bat on this surface and a score of around 160 runs would be good on this surface. 

Venue

Though the surface at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom is known for assisting the fast bowlers the shorter boundaries in this ground also make it a happy hunting ground for big hitters. If batsmen get their eyes on the surface they are able to hit those big shots making it a great ground for T20 cricket.

Toss: To Bat

The surface has been a good one to bat first and put up a score to defend. In the past most captains have preferred to bat first in this ground in T20 games and the skipper winning the toss shouldn’t have much hesitation in batting first on this ground.