Titans vs Lions, CSA T20 Challenge 2019, Today Match Prediction 28 Apr 2019

tit vs lions Match Prediction & Analysis

In the 30th and the last league game of the CSA T20 Challenge 2019, hosts Titans shall lock horns against the Lions. The Lions are sitting on the top of the points table and have earned their place in the semi-finals but the season hasn’t gone as well as the Titans would have expected it to go. They will need to win the next game to make it to the knock out stage of the season. 

In the last few years, the Titans have dominated the Lions in this format winning 8-2 in the last 10 games the sides have featured in. With the sword hanging by their neck, the Titans are expected to bring out their best game against the Lions. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Titans Preview

Farhaan Behardien’s side came into the tournament as favorites to win it but things haven’t gone their way. Three games being washed out have also created problems for the side. But with the last game’s win against the Knights, they have kept their hopes alive for a spot in the semi-finals and would have to win this game to reach the knockout stage. 

Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann and Grant Thomson fell out cheaply in the last game and can’t afford to make the same mistake in the next game. Tony de Zorzi has played well in earlier games. But it is Theunis de Bruyn who has been in great form adding confidence to the side. Henry Davids has also looked good and together with skipper Behardien they have to do well in the next encounter.

Gregory Mahlokwana and Matthew Arnold bowled well at the start to keep things tight. Junior Dala also showed his class in the last game. Good support from Shaun von Berg and Tshepo Moreki will help the side do well in the next game.

Titans Predicted Playing XI:

Henry Davids, Tony de Zorzi, Theunis de Bruyn, Farhaan Behardien (c), Matthew Arnold, Rubin Hermann (wk), Grant Thomson, Shaun von Berg, Gregory Mahlokwana, Tshepo Moreki, Junior Dala

Titans Actual Playing XI:

Shaun von Berg, DS Rosier, Tony de Zorzi, JD Vandiar, Junior Dala, Rubin Hermann, Gregory Mahlokwana, Farhaan Behardien, GM Thomson, Tabraiz Shamsi, Matthew Arnold

Lions Preview

Skipper Temba Bavuma would have been very happy with the form of his side in the last game against the Cape Cobras. They bowled well and were clinical in their approach while batting. They are on the top of the points table and would be looking to make it to the knockout stage in a grand way. 

Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma played well in the game but the star in the chase was Rassie van der Dussen. With Reeza Hendricks as opener and finishers such as Wihan Lubbe and Dwaine Pretorius the side looks a good batting unit and can cause trouble for the Titans' bowling attack. 

It was a great bowling effort from the Lions in the last game. Bjorn Fortuin did well like he has done all this season and there was good support from Wiaan Mulder. Dwaine Pretorius and Lizaad Williams have to bowl better lines to restrict the scoring opportunities for the opponents in the next game.

Lions Predicted Playing XI:

Ryan Rickelton (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma (c), Wiaan Mulder, Dwaine Pretorius, Wihan Lubbe, Bjorn Fortuin, Nono Pongolo, Malusi Siboto, Lizaad Williams

Lions Actual Playing XI:

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

Weather Conditions

It is expected to be partly cloudy in Centurion on the 28th of April. The pitch is expected to be slow in nature as this is the end of the season and a lot of games has already been played here. The side batting first would feel comfortable with a score in the range of 160 runs.

VENUE

SuperSport Park, Centurion is a good venue for T20 games where there is assistance for the fast bowlers while the batsmen also like to bat on the surface once they get their eyes in. It is in the early overs that the fast bowlers get a lot of assistance on this surface.

Toss: To Bowl

There is early assistance for the fast bowlers on this wicket and with the spell of rains we have and the overcast conditions, the side winning the toss would like to make the most use of the conditions and pick early wickets. In the event of rains, the side batting second shall have an advantage.