Paarl Rocks vs Durban Heat, Mzansi Super League 2018, Today Match Prediction 02 Dec 2018

pr vs dh Match Prediction & Analysis

Welcome to the preview of Super Sunday`s first match in the double header. The tournament has entered into a crucial phase where every win counts and puts your team ahead in the race for play offs.  And with the arrival of international stars expected in a couple of days, the South African local players would love to prove their worth and grab their places in starting XI. Paarl Rocks and Durban Heat face off for the second time in a space of 4 days. Paarl rocks two match winning streak was jolted by Nelson Mandela Bay Giants after their crushing defeat on Friday. Paarl Rocks would like to put back their defeat and start afresh against the struggling Heat. All their Top order batsmen Markram, Faf du Plessis, Henry Davids have scored runs in the tournament. Their middle order comprising of Van Jaarweld, Keeper Mosehle, Patrick Kruger and all rounder David Wiese are yet to make a valiant contribution with the bat. Fortuin and Paterson are the opening bowling partners and amongst the top wicket takers in the tournament. David Wiese and spinner Shamsi bowled with lot of control and stopped the flow of runs in their last encounter against Giants albeit in a losing cause. They need plug the run flow from their fifth bowling option, which seems a big worry for them. 

Durban Heat were termed as one of tournament favorites before the start of the Mzansi Super League. But their campaign never really got going except a solitary win against Tshwane Spartans in five matches. With every match their chances of entering playoffs has being going far. Their Captain Albie Morkel has a lot to ponder with struggling experienced players in the side. Opener Amla, Explosive David Miller and Klassen, all are still trying to find form with the bat. Van Wyk has made a fifty in his comeback after being dropped. Khaya Zondo and Albie Morkel are the only consolation in the batting department. On the bowling front Philander, Abbott and Bokako has been expensive with their economy rates. They have been smashed for 230 runs in their last match against Jozi Stars. Morkel has served only with a couple of filler overs in the middle. Spinners Keshav Maharaj & Brandon Mavuta provide some control during the middle overs and stops the flow of runs. Time is running out for the Durban Heat in the race for play offs. They are eagerly waiting for the Afghan Star Rashid Khan`s arrival to boost the team`s strength and morale.

Paarl Rocks -Expected Playing XI: 

Faf du Plessis (C),Henry Davids, Aiden Markram, Van Jaarsweld, Mangaliso Mosehle (Wk), Patrick Kruger, David Wiese, Bjorn Fortuin, TambraizShamsi, Tshepo Moreki/Eatham Bosch, Dane Peterson

With Klinger ruled out of the tournament, they might go in with the same batting line up. 20 year old pacer Eatham Bosch may replace Tshepo Moreki in the playing XI.

Durban Heat -Expected Playing XI:

Albie Morkel, Heinrich Klassen, Hashim Amla, Morne Van Wyk (Wk), Khaya Zondo (C), David Miller, Vern Philander, Okuhle Cele, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Abbott, Brandon Mavuta

 They are struggling to find a right team composition with both bat and ball. Young Okuhele Cele may get a chance in playing XI with other bowlers struggling to find form. Tladi Bokako may be left out from the playing XI.

KEY PLAYERS

Paarl Rocks

Aiden Markram – Aiden Markram`s fifty was the standout performance with the bat in their last encounter. Rocks would hope he plays few more knocks to help their team win matches.

David Wiese – Wiese was exceptional with the ball in the end overs in the last match. He is expected to continue his good form and couple them with some lusty blows with the bat.

Dane Paterson – Paterson was superb with the ball in last couple of matches with match figures of 4-023-3 & 4-0-26-2 respectively. He should continue his form with the ball to prize out more wickets and stem the run rate.

Missing player: Dwayne Bravo, Cameron Delport, Michael Klinger(injured)

Durban Heat

Heinrich Klassen – The Keeper batsmen has not yet shown his potential in this league and he needs to find form with the bat to help his team score big scores.

Khaya Zondo – Zondo has been making some valuable contributions in the middle order and he needs to continue same form with a bit more aggressive batting and higher strike rate. 

Keshav Maharaj – Maharaj has had a better season compared to the other bowlers in their team and he needs to get more wickets in the opposition rank apart from controlling the run rate.

Missing player: Rashid Khan

Stats from recent matches

Paarl Rocks

Henry Davids – 126 runs at strike rate 164 (HS-60)

Bjorn Fortuin - 8 wickets at an economy of 7.4 rpo (BB- 4/15)

Durban Heat 

Van Wyk – 114 runs at strike rate 173 (HS -66)

Kyle Abbott – 7 wickets at an economy of 8.9 rpo (BB – 4/27)

Weather Conditions

The match is scheduled to start at local time 11.00 AM, so dew factor will not be an issue. The pitch at Paarl would be on the slower side but is mostly batsmen friendly. And with the smaller size of boundaries, we could be in for a big score. Paarl pitch is bit unpredictable with the first two matches going for high scoring with 200+ runs and the last match the ball was gripping and turning and ended up as a low scoring game. The weather at Paarl does not look worrying apart from little showers. Rain may not play a spoilsport at Paarl.

Toss Prediction: WIN the toss, BAT First

Boland Park is usually a high scoring ground and first two matches have seen targets set in excess of 200. Afternoon start ensures the playing condition remains the same across the entire duration of the match. And Chasing team may bat in the hot and humid climate at around 12-2 PM of the day.

Toss: To Bat