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Paarl Royals
Durban Super Giants
Itβs a top-of-the-table clash in the 19th match of the SA20 league as table toppers Paarl Royals face second-placed Durban Super Giants.Β
Both teams have accumulated 18 points so far. The Super Giants have played 6 games, one more than the Royals, won 4 matches, and suffered 2 losses on the road. While Paarl Royals have won 4 of their 5 matches and tasted defeat just once.
Both teams are coming into this fixture with a win and both of their wins came against the same rival β MI Cape Town. The table toppers boast a better NRR, second best to the third-placed Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
Both teams are facing each other for the first time in this edition of the SA20. In their previous meetings in the inaugural season, the Super Giants won their first-ever fixture while the Royals won the second, which means one home win each for the two sides.
David Miller was the captain of Paarl Royals even in the last season, while the Durban-based franchisee announced Keshav Maharaj as the skipper ahead of the season after Quinton de Kock decided to move away from the role.
The likes of Roy, Buttler, Miller, and Van Buuren are very well capable of hitting sixes in T20s.
The betting tip is...
Paarl Royals to score more sixes in the match
69 %
31 %
Paarl RoyalsDurban Super GiantsThe Royals are coming into the fixture after a big 59-run win in their last match.
Their English opening duo of Roy and Buttler produced a ruthless 116-run stand with 68 and 54 runs respectively. Their opening partnership will again be the differentiating factor when they face Durban.Β
In the second innings, Fortuin rattled the top order in his opening over and conceded just 15 runs in his spell that concluded with 3 wickets winning him the Player of the Match award. Tabraiz Shamsi was not far behind in producing a stunning spell. He bowled a maiden and leaked just 11 runs in his 4 overs taking 2 wickets.
Captain Miller has not been at his destructive best with the bat but has been spot-on with his captaincy skills. Heβs still in the top 10 run-getters of the league so far. The leagueβs current top wicket-taker Lungi Ndidi with 10 wickets will be a decisive factor to look out for.
Difficult to expect many changes when things are going right. The Royals are unlikely to make changes to their winning combination.
Predicted Lineup: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (wk), Wihan Lubbe, David Miller (c), Mitchell Van Buuren, Fabian Allen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Obed McCoy.
Tony de Zorzi made his debut in Durban Super Giantsβ winning cause during the last match. Matthew Breetzke was moved to the opening slot with the debutant ahead of the experienced Quinton de Kock who failed to provide quick starts this season. The gamble paid off as Breetzke scored a run 48 off 46 opening for the first time while the debutant scored a quickfire 20 off 11.
Wiaan Mulderβs unbeaten 38 off 20 took the Giants to a decent 150-plus defendable total. Marcus Stoinis and Noor Ahmad finished 3 wickets apiece while Naveen-ul Haq and Keshav Maharaj bowled miserly as well.
Stoinis will feature in all the remaining matches after he replaces Nicolas Pooran left for ILT20.
Reece Topley has 8 wickets in 6 matches for the Giants alongside captain Maharaj with 7 scalps in 6 matches.
The only changes we think possible are in the batting order otherwise expect an unchanged XI for Super Giants.
Predicted Lineup: Matthew Breetzke, Quinton de Kock (wk), JJ Smuts, Heinrich Klaasen, Marcus Stoinis, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj (c), Reece Topley, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq
The Royals' opening duo of Buttler and Roy will prove to be a threat to Durban since both batters play a destructive form of cricket and try to maximise the powerplay. Buttler is the third-highest run-scorer with 223 runs in 5 matches at a dashing rate of 149.66 while Roy has scored a strike rate of 158.
Captain Miller is likely to fire against Paarlβs pace attack as his track record against pacers suggests. Keep an eye out for Quinton de Kock as well β heβs only looking for an opportunity to explode and set the tone of the match in the powerplay.Β
The Royals are yet to lose a home match this season and come with 3 out of 3 wins at home into this fixture. We predict Paarl Royals to win the match against Durban Super Giants.
