Warriors vs Lions, Momentum One Day Cup 2020, Today Match Prediction 14 Feb 2020

warriors vs lions Match Prediction & Analysis

Momentum ODI Cup 2020 is garnering interest among South African public and CSA with the search for the future of South African cricket in mind.

Warriors face off Lions in the first of the doubleheader on the Valentine’s Day. Hosts Warriors are not having a great time in the tournament with 2 losses in three matches played so far. Lions are cruising along with 2 wins in as many matches are currently leading the points table. Lions will look to extend their domination while Warriors will look to build some momentum with a win in this match.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Warriors Preview

Warriors batting unit lacks firepower and have posed scores less than 250 in all three matches played so far. Edward Moore started off the season with an inspiring century in his first outing against Titans. Rudi Second and Yaseen Vallie have come up with 50+ scores to contribute to the team.

Stephen Tait, Onke Nyaku, and Andrew Birch will need to step up in the bowling department due to the absence of Sisanda Magala who left for national duties. Dayalan Mathews will be their first choice spinner in the playing XI with Skipper Rudi Second sharing the spin bowling duties with him.

Key Players:

Rudi Second – Rudi Second has two fifties in three matches (51, 12, & 66) this season and is looking in good touch with the bat. He also contributes by bowling some crucial overs with the ball.

Dayallan Mathews – Mathews is the leading wicket-taker for the team with 6 scalps so far but he is guilty of leaking too many runs in the middle overs with an economy rate over 6 RPO.

Warriors Predicted Playing XI:

Andrew Birch, Gihahn Cloete, Yaseen Vallie, Rudi Second (c), Edward Moore, Marco Marais, Dyllan Matthews, Sinethemba Qeshile (wk), Onke Nyaku, Stephan Tait, Glenton Stuurman

Warriors Actual Playing XI:

Andrew Birch, Yaseen Vallie, RS Second, Edward Moore, Onke Nyaku, Dyllan Matthews, Marco Marais, Lutho Sipamla, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lesiba Ngoepe, Stefan Tait

Lions Preview

Lions posted back-to-back 300+ totals in two matches and are looking good as a batting unit. Ryan Rickelton stood up with a massive score of 157 runs in the last match and overshadowed the absence of Hendricks, Van der Dussen, and Bavuma in the team. Dominic Hendricks (50 runs), Kagiso Rapulana (32 runs), and Nicky Bergh (33 runs) came up with crucial contributions for the team.

Malusi Siboto, Nono Pongolo, and Eldred Hawken will form the pace trio for the team and will look to make early inroads with the new ball. Skipper Aaron Phangiso and Joganes Diseko will from the spin duo with the services of all-rounder Wihan Lubbe to their support.

Key Players:

Ryan Rickelton – Rickelton is in red hot form with scores of 92 & 157 in the two matches at a strike rate of over 100+. He will look to continue his purple patch and score more runs consistently.

Eldred Hawken – Hawkin has 5 wickets at an economy rate of less than 4.5 RPOP this season. Hawkin’s will look to take wickets in the powerplay to stop the opposition from settling down.

Lions Predicted Playing XI:

Aaron Phangiso (c), Malusi Siboto, Dominic Hendricks, Johannes Diseko, Nono Pongolo, Nicky van den Bergh (wk), Eldred Hawken, Kagiso Rapulana, Wihan Lubbe, Ryan Rickelton, Delano Potgieter

Lions Actual Playing XI:

Ryan Rickelton, Delano Potgieter, Aaron Phangiso, NJ Van den Bergh, Kagiso Rapulana, MP Siboto, Dominic Hendricks, Johannes Diseko, Eldred Hawken, Nono Pongolo, Wihan Lubbe

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Port Elizabeth has bright and sunny weather on the matchday with just 5% chances of rain.

Venue Details

St. George` park is expected to aid the faster bowlers with the new ball in hand. The pitch may settle in as the match progresses and batting becomes easier once the ball loses its shine. We can expect average scores in the range of 260-270 runs.

Toss: To Bowl

Both teams will look to use the early assistance in the pitch and get some wickets early in the match. The pitch eases down in the second innings and batsmen will find run-scoring easier.