Warriors vs Cape Cobras, CSA T20 Challenge 2019, Today Match Prediction 01 May 2019

warriors vs cobras Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the second semifinal of the CSA T20 Challenge 2019 and Buffalo Park, East London would see the Warriors battle it out against the Cape Cobras. Performances in the league stage have been similar for both the sides where we have seen strength and weaknesses for both. While Warriors have picked up their form the Cape Cobras seem to be in a state of bother in the last few games. 

The two sides have shared a good rivalry over the years and are equally matched in terms of the strength they have in their sides. It will be interesting to see if the Cape Cobras are able to halt their slip in form as we have seen in the last couple of games and emerge victorious in this game.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Warriors Preview

It was a good win for JJ Smut’s side in their last game against the Knights. The fact that they came from behind to earn a place in the semi-finals of the season with a string of good performances would give a lot of confidence to the side. The skipper would hope his side carries on with the same momentum as they have shown in the last few games.  

Gihahn Cloete played well in the last game and with Matthew Breetzke having done well in earlier games they have a good opening pair going. The batting line-up is strong with the likes of Smuts, Marco Marais and Sinethemba Qeshile in the side. They have played well in the last few games which will give them a lot of confidence. 

Andrew Birch's performance with the ball was the story for the side in the last game. He was having a poor season so far. Lutho Sipamla also bowled in the right areas after many games in the season. Smuts has looked in good form and been economical with his bowling. Sisanda Magala and Jade de Klerk add depth to their bowling strength.

Warriors Predicted Playing XI:

Matthew Breetzke, Gihahn Cloete, JJ Smuts (c), Sinethemba Qeshile (wk), Marco Marais, Onke Nyaku, Thomas Kaber, Sisanda Magala, Jade de Klerk, Lutho Sipamla, Andrew Birch

Warriors Actual Playing XI:

Andrew Birch, JJ Smuts, SSB Magala, Onke Nyaku, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lutho Sipamla, Marco Marais, Matthew Breetzke, Lesiba Ngoepe, Gihahn Cloete, Jade de Klerk

Cape Cobras Preview

Rory Kleinveldt’s team hasn’t been in the best for form in the last couple of games which they have lost. In their last game against the Dolphins, they batted poorly and weren’t good enough while bowling and lost the game by a big margin. Knowing that the Warriors are in good form the side would need to make huge improvements in all departments to win the game.  

Janneman Malan has done well with the bat and Kyle Verreynne too has played well. The side would depend on David Bedingham to do the bulk of the scoring like he has done this season. Jean-Paul Duminy, George Linde, and Vernon Philander have good hitting abilities and add strength to the batting towards the end. 

Rory Kleinveldt has been brilliant with the ball this season. Tladi Bokako has also done well. But the rest of the bowling attack hasn’t been consistent which cost them few games earlier in the season. The side would need better performances from George Linde and Vernon Philander when they go into the next game.

Cape Cobras Predicted Playing XI:

Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham (wk), Jean-Paul Duminy, Jason Smith, Aviwe Mgijima, George Linde, Vernon Philander, Rory Kleinveldt (c), Tladi Bokako, Nkululeko Serame

Cape Cobras Actual Playing XI:

Nkululeko Serame, Jean-Paul Duminy, Rory Kleinveldt, Dane Paterson, JF Smith, Aviwe Mgijima, T Bokako, Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Ferisco Adams

Weather Conditions

It is expected to be partly cloudy at East London on May 01. It will be tough conditions for batting as the ball is seaming off the surface and fast bowlers would enjoy early juice on the surface. A score of around 140-150 runs should be a fighting total on this surface.

VENUE

It is a venue that evens it out between the batsmen and the bowlers. While the pitch offers good assistance to the fast bowlers and also off the air the smaller boundaries make it easy to hit through the line. It is a good venue for T20 cricket where there is something for everyone.

Toss: To Bowl

In the last game at this venue, the side batting first struggled to push up the scoring rate due to the slow nature of the pitch. With the forecast for clouds cover batting would become even more challenging early on and the side winning the toss would want to bowl first on this wicket.