Tshwane Spartans will be taking the field at their home ground under tremendous pressure as they are reeling at the bottom of the MSL table with just one win in four games. The injury to Lungi Ngidi will further deplete their confidence and they will hope that their premier star AB de Villiers, who has scored just 11 runs in his last two games, can find some sort of momentum going forward.
Jozi Stars on the other hand do not have much international experience in the batting department but they have been helped by vital contributions from Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton. The franchise, like Tshwane Spartans, have failed to find their rhythm in the tournament thus far, as they have won just one of their three encounters.
However, the pressure will be more on the home side as they are way down the points table. They need to ensure a win in this clash, else they might find it difficult to finish in the top-three.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Gihahn Cloete (8.5 credits)
The keeper from Tshwane Spartans is the second highest run-scorer in the tournament thus far, scoring 145 runs in 4 innings, which includes two fifties. His form will be crucial to the team's success, especially with de Villiers looking out of touch in the last few games. Cloete is not the hardest hitter of the ball, but he has the ability to hold his end up and play a crucial knock.
Batsman: Ryan Rickelton (8
Tshwane Spartans will be taking the field at their home ground under tremendous pressure as they are reeling at the bottom of the MSL table with just one win in four games. The injury to Lungi Ngidi will further deplete their confidence and they will hope that their premier star AB de Villiers, who has scored just 11 runs in his last two games, can find some sort of momentum going forward.
Jozi Stars on the other hand do not have much international experience in the batting department but they have been helped by vital contributions from Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton. The franchise, like Tshwane Spartans, have failed to find their rhythm in the tournament thus far, as they have won just one of their three encounters.
However, the pressure will be more on the home side as they are way down the points table. They need to ensure a win in this clash, else they might find it difficult to finish in the top-three.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Gihahn Cloete (8.5 credits)
The keeper from Tshwane Spartans is the second highest run-scorer in the tournament thus far, scoring 145 runs in 4 innings, which includes two fifties. His form will be crucial to the team's success, especially with de Villiers looking out of touch in the last few games. Cloete is not the hardest hitter of the ball, but he has the ability to hold his end up and play a crucial knock.
Batsman: Ryan Rickelton (8 credits)
Rickleton smashed 91 in 59 deliveries against Paarl Rocks and has been the best batsmen for the Jozi Stars thus far in the MSL. The 22-year-old has only played 11 T20s thus far, but he has already impressed, scoring at an average of 30.87 and smashing the ball at a strike-rate of 147.02. He can turn his arm over as well if need be.
All-rounder: Jeevan Mendis (8.5 credits)
The Sri Lankan all-rounder has played 142 T20s and has impressed more with his bowling skills than his potential with the bat. He has scalped 93 wickets in 142 games, bowling with an average of 20.31 and an impressive economy rate of 7.15. In the MSL, Mendis has been his side's go-to bowler, picking up 9 wickets in 4 matches and is the highest wicket-taker in the MSL so far.
Bowler: Kagiso Rabada (9.5 credits)
Kagiso Rabada is the biggest match-winner with the ball in the current era. His fiery pace and his ability to vary his line and length has made him a potent pacer, and though he was expensive in the last game, conceding 49 runs, he is too good a bowler to commit the same mistakes again. With an economy rate of 7.70 in T20s, Rabada has the ability to stall the runs both in the powerplay and the death overs, which makes him a player to watch out for.
Captain: Kagiso Rabada
Vice-captain: Jeevan Mendis
