Titans vs Dolphins, CSA T20 2022-23, Today Match Prediction 05 November 2022

tit vs dol Match Prediction & Analysis

Titans completed a convincing win over the Knights in the 1st semi-final to secure their final berth. This will be their 8th appearance in the CSA T20 Challenge final. 

Dolphins have one title win from 4 final appearances and with their current form, will be confident of a win here. The second semi-final saw a below-par total from the Dolphins after they were put to bat first.

A 146 runs total was not a match-winning or even a par total against the defending champions, Rocks. However, a brilliant bowling performance from Subrayen and JJ Smuts led Dolphins to a 20-run win.

Even the Titans just managed a par score batting first in the semi-final but they would take some positives from the game. With the number 3 and 4 stepping up and delivering crucial partnerships, the Titans are on the right track to yet another title win.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Titans Preview

Titans will be coming into this match with confidence and momentum from their semi-final victory. While Dewald Brewis seemed to struggle at the top, the middle-order batters stepping up to the occasion is a relief for the fans. 

Skipper Makhanya came in at number 4 and delivered a captain’s knock striking at 132.35. This is great news for the team as they were struggling to find a reliable batsman in the middle order. 

Titans had tried different combinations in the middle and now it seems they would happily settle with de Bruyn and Makhanya at 3 and 4. Jiveshan Pillay also came to the party at the top which is another positive for Titans coming into this final.

Whether the lower order can deliver a big finish is not certain, they are in good form and will make a difference towards the end. Donavon Ferreira is a key batsman in the lower order to watch out for. He delivered some good performances in the middle a few games ago. 

Neil Brand, another all-rounder in the lower order is also very handy with the ball and will be a key player for the Titans. Brewis showed his bowling skills in the semi-final picking up 1 for 15 in 3 overs. 

The skipper would be delighted to find even more variety in the bowling attack. Simon Harmer, Junior Dala, and Aaron Phangiso will be the key frontline bowlers for the Titans to deliver breakthroughs.

Titans Predicted Playing XI:

Dewald Brevis, Jiveshan Pillay, Donavon Ferreira (wk), Dayyaan Galiem, Theunis de Bruyn, Sibonelo Makhanya (c), Neil Brand, Ayabulela Gqamane, Simon Harmer, Aaron Phangiso, Junior Dala

Titans Actual Playing XI:

Ayabulela Gqamane, Sibonelo Makhanya, Simon Harmer, Aaron Phangiso, Dewald Brevis, Theunis de Bruyn, Donavon Ferreira, Jiveshan Pillay , Dayyaan Galiem, Neil Brand, Junior Dala

Dolphins Preview

Dolphins finished at number 2 in the points table with 4 wins from 7 matches. They have won all of their last 4 matches and are in great form. While the opposition is quite strong, Subrayen will back his men to beat the 6-time champions.

The skipper can rely on his bowlers to deliver as that is the most in-form and consistent department of the Dolphins. JJ Smuts, Dupavillon, Baartman, and the captain himself are all key bowlers expected to deliver breakthroughs for the Dolphins.

The bowling attack crushed Western Province a few days ago, bowling them out for just 73 runs after being put to bowl first. In the semi-final, it was the bowling unit that made the win possible. A 20-run win defending a total of 146 runs is a big feat for any bowling unit. We reckon the Dolphins would give the Titans' batting lineup a tough time. 

The Dolphins weren’t impressive with the bat in the semi-final but had won the previous two matches by 9 wickets. Prior to chasing down 73 runs against Western Province, Dolphins had successfully chased 167 runs with 9 wickets in hand.

Grant Roelofsen and Keegan Petersen added 106 runs for the first wicket while JJ Smuts finished things in style with a quickfire 37 off 19 balls. Along with these three, the bowling all-rounder and captain Subrayen also have a crucial role in the batting department. 

Dolphins Predicted Playing XI:

Grant Roelofsen (wk), Keegan Petersen, JJ Smuts, Tshepang Dithole, Khaya Zondo, Jason Smith, Eathan Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen (c), Ottniel Baartman, Daryn Dupavillon, Andile Simelane

Dolphins Actual Playing XI:

Grant Roelofsen, Ottneil Baartman, Andile Simelane, Keegan Petersen, Eathan Bosch, Khaya Zondo, Jason Smith, Daryn Dupavillon, Tshepang Dithole, Prenelan Subrayen, JJ Smuts

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch is well-balanced and offers help to both batters and bowlers. We have witnessed some really impressive batting performances and also seen bowlers dominate completely. Thunderstorms are expected on the match day with a high of 26 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

Senwes Park in Potchefstroom has been the only venue for the CSA T20 Challenge this year. One of the recent matches at this ground saw both teams score over 200 runs each. Whereas, in the semi-final, a team failed to chase down a 147-runs target. The results here have been quite varied but we reckon a 1st innings score of 170 runs would be more than enough.

Toss: To Bat

The stats don’t show a great difference between the wins for teams batting first and second. 15 times this season, teams batting first have won. The last 6 consecutive matches went in favour of the team batting first. Both these teams have a solid bowling attack that can defend even a par total and hence, will be keen on batting first.