2018 Mzansi Super League – Cape Town Blitz vs Paarl Rocks Preview

AT A GLANCE

When? Friday 7^th December, 17:00 (UK)

Where? Newlands Cricket Ground

Weather? Rain is expected in the morning but should hopefully dry up by start time

What channel is it on? Cape Town Blitz vs Paarl Rocks will be broadcast live on FreeSports

Where can I stream the match? Cape Town Blitz vs Paarl Rocks will not be streamed live on UK television

Are tickets still available? https://www.ticketpros.co.za/portal/web/index.php/event/c7301e18-4719-4019-105d-5b84e704db0a

HEAD-TO-HEAD
Paarl Rocks beat Cape Town Blitz by 5 wickets

THE TEAM NEWS

CAPE TOWN BLITZ

Coach: Ashwell Prince

Captain: Quinton de Kock

• Cape Town Blitz remain in top spot coming into this clash with the Paarl Rocks but they have only won one of their last four matches and they have lost a degree of momentum after a fast start where they won their opening four matches in a row.
  
  
• They were outgunned by the Jozi Stars last time out as they lost by 50 runs and they have been relying too heavily on De Kock with few of their batsmen other than Jannemann Malan really contributing with the bat.
  
  
• Young paceman Nandre Burger has taken five wickets in his last two matches since replacing the injured Anrich Nortje and it is unlikely the Blitz will make many changes to their starting XI in a match where they will be desperate to win the toss and bat first at Newlands.

PAARL ROCKS

Coach: Adrian Birrell

Captain: Faf du Plessis

• Paarl Rocks have lost two of their last three matches and they need to get back to winning ways with the race for the knockout phase heating up so they will be keen to replicate their win over the Blitz two weeks ago.
  
  
• Tshepo Moreki’s position could be under threat after a series of average performances and the form of all-rounders Bravo and Wiese may see them go with just three frontline bowlers and throw an extra batsmen in with veteran Henry Davids surely a candidate to come back into the side.
  
  
• Openers Markram and Delport both failed last time out and they desperately need them to fire so they could tinker with the line-up and drop either of them down if Davids does come back into the side.

THE PREDICTION

There is little doubt that the Cape Town Blitz have been the best team in the tournament so far but there are signs that their form has been dipping in recent matches after a fast start to the tournament. The greater urgency is with the Rocks who will take comfort from the fact that they beat the Blitz last time out. They are somewhat inconsistent so it depends which version of the Rocks turns up here, but they should produce the goods given the calibre of players they have to perform when it counts. They are favoured to complete the double over the Blitz and give their chances of reaching the play-offs a boost.