MSL T20 2018, Match 7, Cape Town Blitz vs Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, Match Prediction: Who will win the Match?

It would be a mid-week doubleheader on Wednesday in the MSL 2018. Durban Heat will face Tshwane Spartans in the first game on the day. In the other encounter, the Cape Town Blitz will host the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants at the Newlands.

The Blitz are the leaders of the points table at the moment. The side has done exceedingly well in the last two games to pull off great wins. They would like to keep the winning momentum going forward. However, they’ve got quite a few boxes that are to be ticked as the tournament is moving fast. Their batsmen haven’t been able to deliver collectively as a unit and it has rather been a one-man show thus far for them.

Nelson Mandela Bay Giants won their last match but the victory wasn’t as convincing. Their bowlers performed exceptionally well but it is their batting which wasn’t as impressive. Although just one game isn’t a huge sample size to judge, they would want a few players other than Ben Duckett to deliver with the willow in the hand.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at Newlands is too good for the batsmen. Hence, the match could be a high-scoring one. However, if the ball is pitched in the right areas, there are rewards on offer for the bowlers as well. The overcast conditions might assist the pacers ever so slightly. The temperatures are not on the higher side and the weather prediction is good for a game of cricket.

Team Combinations

Cape Town Blitz

For the Blitz, the likes of Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock and Andile Phehlukwayo will play after returning from Australia. This doesn’t affect Dawid Malan’s departure a lot for them. Janneman Malan now will open with De Kock while the batting has been bolstered down the order as well with Behardien’s presence.

The bowling also looks brilliant for them with the pace of Anrich Nortje and Dale Steyn complemented by Phehlukwayo and others nicely.

Predicted XI: Farhaan Behardien (C), Quinton de Kock, Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne, Jason Smith, Sibonelo Makhanya/George Linde, Ferisco Adams, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dale Steyn, Anrich Nortje, Dane Piedt.

Nelson Mandela Bay Giants

Giants have also been strengthened with Chris Morris and Imran Tahir joining the squad. Smuts and Marco Marais will open the innings with Heino Kuhn, the in-form Ben Duckett and Christiaan Jonker to follow. Morris can be promoted up the order to up the ante at some stage during the innings while the bowling attack boasts of Junior Dala, Aaron Phangiso, Sisanda Magala along with Tahir.

Predicted XI: JJ Smuts (C), Marco Marais, Heino Kuhn, Ben Duckett, Christiaan Jonker, Rudi Second, Chris Morris, Ryan McLaren, Aaron Phangiso, Junior Dala, Sisanda Magala, Imran Tahir.

Probable Top Performers

Quinton de Kock – Cape Town Blitz | Marco Marais – Nelson Mandela Bay Giants

Broadcast Details

TV – Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD (Sony Ten 2 can also broadcast)

Live Streaming – Sony LIV

Match Timings – 22:30 IST; 19:00 local

The prediction is that the Cape Town Blitz will win the match by a small margin.

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