Lions vs Titans, CSA T20 Challenge 2019, Today Match Prediction 18 Apr 2019

lions vs tit Match Prediction & Analysis

In the 15th game of CSA T20 Challenge 2019 the Lions would take on the Titans at their home ground Wanderers. The Lions have done well in the season registering two wins in their four games so far. Titans on the other hand have been shade unlucky winning just one game having seen their last two games being washed away due to rain and nearly won their first game against the Warriors. 

Titans have a brilliant record against the Lions and the side has won eight out of the last ten games played between the two sides. With momentum on their side it would be interesting to see if the Lions are able to get better of the Titans or the latter maintains the status quo. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Lions Preview

Temba Bavuma’s side wasn’t looking in complete command in the last game against the Warriors which ended in a no result due to rain. The team went into the last game with two back to back wins and as they take on the stronger Titans against whom they don’t have the best of records the skipper would want his side to put up their best performance. 

Ryan Rickelton is doing well for the side in the season so far. They have the best Top 3 in the tournament with Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen completing the trio though the latter two aren’t in the best of form at the moment. Temba Bavuma and Dwaine Pretorius have done well and add strength of the batting and they are expected to do well in the next game. 

Aaron Phangiso stood out with his bowling performance in the last game and Reeza Hendricks also did well. But the rest of the bowlers including Bjorn Fortuin, Dwaine Pretorius and Wiaan Mulder bowled poor line in the game. Their bowling has somewhat been poor so far in the season and they would need to check their line going into the next game. 

Lions Predicted Playing XI:

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

Lions Actual Playing XI:

Nono Pongolo, Aaron Phangiso, Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton, Dwaine Pretorius, Willem Mulder, Bjorn Fortuin, Rassie van der Dussen, Migael Pretorius, Temba Bavuma, MP Siboto

Titans Preview

It has been little frustrating for Farhaan Behardien’s side in the last two games. They have seen no result against the Knights and the Dolphins due to rain. The side did well batting against the Knights in the last game when rain came in. The skipper would be looking for a win in the next game to rise up on the points table. 

Theunis de Bruyn and Diego Rosier played well in the last game after the openers Tony de Zorzi and Henry Davids fell cheaply. The openers have done well in the season in their previous games though that makes the batting look strong. They have good hitters in the form of Grant Thomson and Farhaan Behardien towards the end of the innings and can put up a big score on the board. 

During their win over the Cape Cobras the bowlers had done well. Shaun von Berg and Gregory Mahlokwana looked in complete command and bowled in the right areas. They would need good support from Grant Thomson and Eldred Hawken in the next game as they can’t let the opponents score freely. 

Titans Predicted Playing XI:

Henry Davids, Tony de Zorzi, Theunis de Bruyn, Diego Rosier, Grant Thomson, Farhaan Behardien(c), Rubin Hermann(w), Eldred Hawken, Junior Dala, Shaun von Berg, Gregory Mahlokwana

Titans Actual Playing XI:

Shaun von Berg, DS Rosier, Henry Davids, Theunis de Bruyn, Junior Dala, Rubin Hermann, Gregory Mahlokwana, Farhaan Behardien, GM Thomson, Tony de Zorzi, Eldred Hawken

Weather Conditions

There is prediction for heavy shower at Johannesburg on April 18 and we should be lucky to have a game. The pitch has historically been good for batting as the ball comes on to the bat easily making it easy to hit through the line. The team batting first would need to score in excess of 160 runs to win the game. 

Venue

The New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg is the flattest track in South Africa and a place where batsmen have always felt comfortable. Big scores have been set and chased at this ground in the past. The bowlers get early moment but it is a paradise for the batsmen and they would fancy scoring their big shots playing in this ground

Toss: To Bat

While rain may be a factor when it comes to the decision after the toss but Wanderers has always been a good ground to set a total and chase it. The captain winning the toss in this game in all likelihood should decide to bat first and set a huge total.