Paarl Royals vs Joburg Super Kings, SA20 2023, Today Match Prediction 13 January 2023

pr vs jsk Match Prediction & Analysis

A star-studded Paarl Royals got off to a losing start in the inaugural SA20 season. Considering the batting strength, one would have easily expected a much better performance from the Royals.

However, they were also up against a very strong MI Cape Town bowling attack. Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, and skipper David Miller will carry huge expectations coming into this match. 

Royals will meet the Joburg Super Kings whose skipper will be proud of his team’s recent win over Durban. To reach 190 runs from 27-4 in 6 Overs is definitely something to be proud of. 

Donavon Ferreira led this comeback for Joburg with his unbeaten 82 off 40 balls at number 6. Bjorn Fortuin, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Ferisco Adams are the key bowlers to watch out for in the Paarl Royals setup.

There are many spin bowling options for Faf du Plessis in addition to the star pacer from Antigua, Alzarri Joseph.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Paarl Royals Preview

Jos Buttler’s half-century and a 48 runs partnership with Miller got Paarl Royals to 142-7 batting first. Buttler’s fifty came at a rather slow pace while Miller had the highest strike rate of all. Jos had no choice but to play cautiously as wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end.

Nevertheless, this is a strong batting lineup. Jason Roy, Buttler, Miller, and Morgan make for an attacking batting order. Miller and Morgan come in at 5 and 6 adding strength to the lower order while Roy and Buttler can get the team off to a good start at the top.

Dane Vilas, an experienced campaigner, who’s hardly played any international cricket, will be a key player in the top order. He has been among the top performers in the domestic circuit.

The squad looks much stronger than the playing XI Royals fielded in the last game. There are bowlers like Lungi Ngidi, Obed McCoy, and the bowling all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo who didn’t feature in the XI.

These three could make a huge difference to the bowling effort. Phehlukwayo has great experience and can be a regular wicket-taker for Paarl Royals. Bjorn Fortuin and Tabraiz Shamsi will lead the spin bowling. Ramon Simmonds and Ferisco Adams are the pacers to watch out for. 

Paarl Royals Predicted Playing XI:

Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (wk), Wihan Lubbe, Eoin Morgan, David Miller (c), Dane Vilas, Ferisco Adams, Bjorn Fortuin, Obed McCoy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi

Paarl Royals Actual Playing XI:

Evan Jones, Jason Roy, Tabraiz Shamsi, Eoin Morgan, David Miller, Jos Buttler, Dane Vilas, Ferisco Adams, Wihan Lubbe, Lungi Ngidi, Bjorn Fortuin

Joburg Super Kings Preview

It was a brilliant comeback from Joburg Super Kings. The top-order collapse had Joburg reeling at 27-4 at the end of the powerplay.

Faf du Plessis and Donavon Ferreira added crucial 72 runs for the 5th wicket to get Joburg Super Kings back in the game. Later, Ferreira and Shepherd set the team on the way to a competitive total with an 87-run stand for the 6th wicket. 

This performance has sent a strong message to all other teams in SA20. Joburg Super Kings have a deep batting lineup and some fine finishers to do the job. Though Faf du Plessis and co. ended up with 190 runs batting first, with the kind of start the opposition got off to, it did not seem enough. 

Durban Super Giants had scored 98 runs in 11 Overs when they lost their 1st wicket. Another key aspect of Joburg’s win and their overall squad strength is the variety in the bowling attack.

Faf has plenty of options to choose from. Reeza Hendricks, the opening batsman for Joburg, bowled 4 Overs for just 14 runs. It was huge in the context of the run-chase.

Aaron Phangiso, Alzarri Joseph, George Garton, and Ferreira are some of the key bowlers in this side to watch out for. The top order that features Reeza Hendricks, Janneman Malan, and Faf du Plessis will be expected to bounce back in this game. 

Joburg Super Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Reeza Hendricks, Janneman Malan, Faf du Plessis (c), Kyle Verreynne (wk), Lewis Gregory, Donavon Ferreira, Romario Shepherd, George Garton, Alzarri Joseph, Malusi Siboto, Aaron Phangiso

Joburg Super Kings Actual Playing XI:

Lizaad Williams, Faf du Plessis, Kyle Verreynne, Aaron Phangiso, Alzarri Joseph, Reeza Hendricks, Donovan Ferreira, Janneman Malan, George Garton, Romario Shepherd, Lewis Gregory

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch is quite batting-friendly. The fast bowlers can get bounce and pace off the surface but it won’t be that easy. They will have to be consistent in hitting the hard length. The weather will be clear and sunny with a high of 31 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

Boland Park in Paarl has a fast outfield and smaller boundary dimensions which will be a great advantage for the batters. We expect a high-scoring encounter between these two teams. The average 1st innings score in domestic T20s at this ground is 160 runs. A match-winning total, however, would be something above 180-185 runs.

Toss: To Bat

There has been only one T20I at this venue which was won by a team batting second. Whereas team batting first and second have won 12 matches each of the 24 domestic T20s at Boland Park. This indicated the toss may not have much of an impact but we reckon batting first would be a preferred option.