Nelson Mandela Bay Giants vs Durban Heat, Mzansi Super League 2018, Today Match Prediction 23 Nov 2018

nmbg vs dh Match Prediction & Analysis

With a host of T20 international stars leaving the league for the duties at different places, the tournament enters a very important middle phase of the league round. Both the teams have won one match and lost match respectively. They both would like to leapfrog each other in points table who are right now separated only by Net Run Rate(NRR). The Giants are playing their first home game and would like to win this match in their fortress. They need their batters to stand up to the challenge. There has been less contribution from the openers and the bulk of scoring has been done by Ben Duckett and Heino Kuhn. Their lower order must provide some firepower towards the end of innings with all-rounders McLaren, Morris and Keeper Second. Their bowling department looks high on pace department with CJ Dala, Morris and McLaren. They need their Spin duo of Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso to weave their magic on opponent’s batsmen. Captain JJ Smuts would be inching o score some runs apart rolling his arm for some part-time spin. 

Star-studded Durban Heat achieved their maiden victory against Tshwane Spartans in a rain affected match. The Heat team have finished strong with explosive hits during their end of innings with good knocks by their captain Albie Morkel and Khaya Zondo in both their matches. Their Top order with quality batsmen such as Amla, Van Wyk, Miller and Klassen are yet to make a mark in this tournament. Their fast department is full of experienced bowlers such as Philander, de Lange, Abbott who are well supported by spinner Keshav Maharaj. They would be looking to add an additional spinner owing to slow nature of pitch at St. George`s Park. They would like to extend their winning momentum and prove their tag as "one of the tournament favourites".

NELSON MANDELA BAY GIANTS PREVIEW

Expected Playing XI: JJ Smuts (C), Marco Marais, Ben Duckett, Heino Kuhn, Chris Jonker, Rudi Second (Wk), Ryan McLaren, Chris Morris, Imran Tahir, Aaron Phangiso, CJ Dala.

Despite the loss, they are expected to go in with an unchanged XI. Tahir, Phangiso and Captain Smuts are expected to play a big role in bowling in this pitch.

Key Players:

JJ Smuts – Captain is expected to play a big knock at the top of the order and his bowling will be very effective in this slow pitch.

Chris Morris – He did not have good day with the bat in the first outing with a duck but captured a couple of wickets in the bowling. He would be waiting to prove his mettle as an all-rounder in this match.

Imran Tahir –Tahir was right on money with his bowling in the first match with match figures of 4-0-18-1. He would be more potent threat in this slow pitch.

Missing player: Nil 

DURBAN HEAT PREVIEW

Expected Playing XI: Albie Morkel (C), Morne Van Wyk (wk), Heinrich Klassen, Hashim Amla, Khaya Zondo, David Miller, Vern Philander, P Subrayen, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Abbott, Merchant de Lange

P Subrayen might replace T Bokako due to slow nature of the pitch. No other changes are expected in the playing XI with the same batsmen.

Key Players:

Hashim Amla – Amla was looked rusty after his return from injury and will look to get back his touch and score quick runs at top. He has struggling to get quick runs in this tournament. He is classy batsmen and write him down at your own peril.

Albie Morkel – Morkel has been at his aggressive best in both the matches and looks in scintillating form. He has scored runs at rapid pace in a strike rate around 200. He can also bowl a couple of good overs in the middle. 

Keshav Maharaj – He was exceptional in the first match, but was leaking runs the other day against Tshwane Spartans. He might love to have face off against Tahir as opponent camp`s lead spinner.

Missing player: Rashid Khan 

TOSS 

Both the teams would like to bowl considering the possibility of rain and dew factor coming into play. Spinners might find it hard to grip the ball with dew in the second innings and batting becomes a lot easier.

Weather Conditions

The match day is expected to be cloudy and with possibility of rain showers. And the scheduled start at local time 10:30 PM, might bring dew factor into play. The rain might bring DL method into consideration. St George`s park is one of the slow pitches in the South Africa and spinners are expected to play a big role in the match.  Batting first any score in the range of 150-160 runs will be tough to chase under lights. This match will not be a high scoring match with good balance with the bat and the ball.

Toss: To Bowl