Warriors vs Lions, CSA T20 Challenge 2019, Today Match Prediction 14 Apr 2019

warriors vs lions Match Prediction & Analysis

The 11th game of the CSA T20 Challenge 2019 would see the Warriors hosting the Lions at their home ground Buffalo Park, East London. The Warriors had started the tournament on a positive note defeating the Titans but come into this game having lost their last encounter against the Cape Cobras. The Lions on the other hand come here with two back to back wins and look to be in good form at the moment.

Though the Warriors have enjoyed a better record against the Lions their recent form doesn’t encourage much confidence in the side. It would be a very important game for the side and it remains to be seen whether they are able to overcome the challenge thrown by the Lions. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Warriors Preview

JJ Smuts’ team had started the season well defeating the Titans but the last game’s loss against the Cape Cobras have highlighted the problems the side has with its bowling. Their bowlers were unable to cause much worry for the Cape Cobras and the skipper would now expect his side to do well in the next game. 

Matthew Breetzke and Gihahn Cloete are looking good opening the batting for the side but they need to convert their starts into big scores. JJ Smuts, Marco Marais, Sinethemba Qeshile and Lesiba Ngoepe failed to impress in the last game and would be looking to do well in the next one. The side has depth in its batting and they would need to deliver in the next game. 

Lutho Sipamla and Andrew Birch have been bowling all over the place in this tournament so far and this has become a cause of worry. They bowled poorly in the last game as well. The side would be looking to better performances from them as well as Sisanda Magala and Smuts as they go into the next game.

Warriors Predicted Playing XI:

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

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

Lions Preview

Temba Bavuma would be very impressed with the performance of his side in the last game against the Knights where they registered a thumping win. With back to back wins the side would be confident about its prospects going into the game. The skipper would want his side to continue with the momentum and win the next game. 

Ryan Rickelton is in good form and played well in the last game. He was well supported by Temba Bavuma and Dwaine Pretorius. Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen missed out and would be looking to do well in the next game. Lower down the order Wiaan Mulder and Wihan Lubbe add strength to the batting which makes them a good batting side. 

Bjorn Fortuin and Malusi Siboto bowled well in the last game. Dwaine Pretorius and Beuran Hendricks also kept the line tight and prevented the opponents from scoring big. The side has one of the most well balanced attacks in the tournament and would make it difficult for the Warriors.

Lions Predicted Playing XI:

Aaron Phangiso, Temba Bavuma (c), Dwaine Pretorius, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Malusi Siboto, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Wihan Lubbe, Ryan Rickelton (wk)

Lions Actual Playing XI:

Aaron Phangiso, Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton, Dwaine Pretorius, Willem Mulder, Wihan Lubbe, B Hendricks, Bjorn Fortuin, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, MP Siboto

Weather Conditions

There is prediction for heavy showers at East London on the 14th of April and this would make it difficult to bat on. The pitch is known to assist the fast bowlers and the ball also tends to stop a bit on the batsmen. The side batting first would be happy with a score above 150 runs if they have a good bowling attack. 

VENUE

Buffalo Park, East London is one of the smaller grounds in South Africa and this makes it good for the stroke makers. The pitch however is on the slower side and hence it isn’t easy to hit though the line. It balances out between the batsmen and the bowlers making it a competitive venue.

Toss: To Bowl

The possibility of rain is high and hence the team that bats second might have the edge in case of a rain affected game. Also there would be some juice in the surface to be exploited in the initial overs and the side that wins the toss would be happy to put the opposition into batting.