Warriors vs Titans, CSA T20 Challenge 2019, Today Match Prediction 22 Apr 2019

warriors vs tit Match Prediction & Analysis

The 19th game in the CSA T20 Challenge 2019 shall see action between the Warriors and the Titans. The two sides shall lock horn against each other at the Buffalo Park, East London. Out of the six games that the two sides have played so far in the season, they have won two games each. Interestingly the Warriors had surprised everyone in defeating the Titans in the opening game of the season. 

Titans have a great record against the Warriors over the past many seasons and are a much better side at least on paper. It remains to be seen if Warriors can make it two in two against the Titans in the next game.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Warriors Preview

After the disappointment of two games being washed away due to rain JJ Smuts’ team would be proud with their victory over the Cape Cobras in the last game. They batted well and held their nerves while bowling to win it. Having defeated the Titans earlier in the season they would start the next game confidently. 

Marco Marais played a sensational knock in the last game and got good support from Onke Nyaku and Sisanda Magala towards the end. But the batting at the top still remains a concern for the side with Matthew Breetzke, JJ Smuts and Sinethemba Qeshile having fallen cheaply. They will need to make contributions against a strong bowling attack of the Titans. 

Sisanda Magala and JJ Smuts did well with the ball to earn a victory for their side. But bowling remains a concern especially the form of Lutho Sipamla and Andrew Birch as they haven't impressed so far in the season. The side's fortune in the tournament depends on the form of these two.

Warriors Predicted Playing XI:

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

Titans Preview

After the disappointing loss against the Lions Farhaan Behardien’s side made a strong comeback against the Dolphins in the last game. They made a big chase look easy towards the end. While their bowlers did give away a lot of runs the batsmen chased clinically to win the game. Having lost to the Warriors earlier they would be looking to avenge that defeat. 

Henry Davids and Tony de Zorzi gave the team a good start in the last game while the hero for the side was Theunis de Bruyn hitting five monstrous sixes in the game. With Jonathan Vandiar, Farhaan Behardien and Grant Thomson in the batting order the side has good firepower and will be looking to do well in the next game. 

Bowling remains a worry for the side especially the form of Junior Dala who bowled poorly in the last game. The likes of Gregory Mahlokwana, Eldred Hawken, Shaun von Berg and Thomson will need to bowl tighter line in the next game for the side to do well.

Titans Predicted Playing XI:

Henry Davids, Tony de Zorzi, Theunis de Bruyn, Jonathan Vandiar, Farhaan Behardien (c), Grant Thomson, Rubin Hermann (wk), Shaun von Berg, Eldred Hawken, Junior Dala, Gregory Mahlokwana

Weather Conditions

Weatherman predicts heavy rains at East London on the 22nd of April and we are most likely to have a weather-affected game. The last match at this ground was washed away. The pitch is likely to assist the fast bowlers and scoring won’t be easy here. Batsmen would have to be watchful on this wicket.

VENUE

Buffalo Park, East London being a small ground has been a happy venue for the batsmen who like hitting the ball hard. The pitch, however, isn’t the easiest of tracks to bat on as the ball tends come slow off the surface which makes it a good venue for the bowlers as well as the batsmen.

Toss: To Bowl

If the game is affected by rain the side chasing the score would have an advantage. There would be early moisture on the surface which would make it a difficult surface to bat on initially. In all likelihood, the side winning the toss would elect to bowl first on this surface.