Warriors vs Knights, Momentum One Day Cup 2020, Today Match Prediction 18 Feb 2020

warriors vs kng Match Prediction & Analysis

Warriors have had a mixed bag of a season so far in the Momentum One Day Cup 2020. They have won 2 matches and lost 2 in the 4 games they have played and are placed 4th in the points table with 9 points and a net run rate of - 0.043. They will be hosting Knights on February 18 and would be hoping to ear another vital victory under their belt.

The Knights, meanwhile, have had a horrible season so far, losing all the 3 games and stranded at the bottom of the table with a net run rate of -2.036. The two sides had met earlier in the season and Warriors had secured a thumping 50-run win in that game.

 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Warriors Preview

Warriors would be happy to get back to winning ways in their last match where they beat the Lions by 6 wickets. It was a clinical performance and showed why Warriors can be such a complete tam if they play to their strengths. Edward Moore and skipper Yaseen Vallie have been the top-scorers for Warriors with 167 and 163 runs respectively and averages of over 80. These two will again play the most vital role at the top of the team.

Rudi Second, 143 runs from 4 innings at an average of 35.75 and a strike rate of 81, is another batsman to watch out for in the match. Their bowling has been quite good so far in the season. Leg-spinner Dyllan Matthews has been the highest wicket-taker for Warriors with 6 wickets from 4 games at an economy of 6.34. He will have to be the lead bowler for the team in this match.

The other two bowlers who have done well for Warriors are left-arm fast bowler Stefan Tait (5 wickets) and Onke Nyaku (5 wickets). Another bowler who will be eager to make an impact in this match is Andrew Birch.

Warriors Predicted Playing XI:

Matthew Breetzke, Edward Moore, Sinethemba Qeshile (wk), Rudi Second, Yaseen Vallie (c), Marco Marais, Onke Nyaku, Sisanda Magala, Dyllan Matthews, Andrew Birch, Stephan Tait

Knights Preview

There is not much to discuss the Knights this season except their back-to-back below-par performances. They have been especially poor with the bat. In their last game too, against Dolphins, they were bundled out for just 134 runs. This is now their third game in a row where they have been bowled out for less than 200 runs in the season. It's a pathetic state of affairs and the batting order, which hasn't done anything to take note of, would really need to pull up their socks if they wish to rise in the ladder.

Captain Wandile Makwetu has been the leading run-scorer for the team with 85 runs. He is expected to do well again. However, the likes of Raynard van Tonder, Jacques Snyman, Keegan Petersen, and Keegan Petersen would need to really step up.

On the bowling front, Tshepo Ntuli has been the pick of the bowlers for the Knights and has picked up 5 wickets in 3 matches. Shadley van Schalkwyk and Shaun von Berg have also given able support, with 4 and 5wickets respectively. However, the bowling unit would have to do a lot better as the batsmen are continuously failing.

Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Raynard van Tonder, Jacques Snyman, Keegan Petersen, Andries Gous, Obus Pienaar, Wandile Makwetu (c & wk), Shaun von Berg, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ottniel Baartman, Mbulelo Budaza, Tshepo Ntuli

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at Buffalo Park in East London is a good limited overs cricket where there is something in it for both the bowlers and the batsmen. Seamers will find some movement in the initial overs while the slower bowlers should enjoy bowling in the middle overs. Batsmen who manage to stay patient, will enjoy the benefits later on. Periods of rain are expected on the day of the match and we may have a truncated game.

Venue Details

This will be the first match of the season played at Buffalo Park this season. The average total batting first here is 225. However, the highest total achieved on the venue is 369-6 by South Africa against Bangladesh in 2017.

Toss: To Bat

Winning the toss and batting first has been quite a successful this season. So the team who wins the toss is likely to bat first in this game.