As we move towards the first weekend of the 2024 SA20, an action-packed double-header day is lining up to bring up high-voltage T20 cricket action. Match 5 of the second edition will witness an intense contest between two familiar foes MI Cape Town and Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
Despite putting up a strong batting performance, a weak bowling unit led the Blue and Golds towards the losing feat in the opening game. Hence, multiple changes and combination shuffles in the playing XI are being speculated by MICT management. The fans may get to see George Linde making the season’s maiden appearance and Nuwan Thushara making a debut for the franchise as Thomas Kaber and Olly Stone leaked runs aplenty.
After finishing runners-up in the league stages, it came as no surprise when JSK team management decided to entrust Faf’s leadership and retain the same core of players. Moreover, the Gauteng-based franchise also strengthened its roster with the addition of new knights in the auctions. The likes of Dayyaan Galiem, Wayne Madsen, and Ronan Hermann are putting up a strong contention to make it to the JSK XI this Saturday.
What have they done so far?
The Super Kings were scheduled to take on the defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the opening game of the 2024 edition. However, the league opener was hurled down by the unexpected rain interruption at the hosting venue St. George’s Park of Port Elizabeth. The play was abandoned without a single ball being bowled as both teams shared points to open their account in the points table.
An anti-climax to MICT’s diligent fightback
On the other hand, MICT’s dreaded run continues as they lost the opening clash with Durban’s Super Giants by 11 runs through the DLS method. They were sent on the back foot by the individual brilliance of Heinrich Klassen despite scoring 207 runs in the first innings. Another turning point in play occurred when Klassen was dismissed in the 16th over but it was too late as the damage to the par score was already done.
Head to Head Record
Continuing the legacy of rivalry initiated by their sister franchises in the Indian Premier League, these two combatants are also leaving no stone unturned to get better of each other. Both sides won their home games in the previous season to keep the head-to-head record equal at 1-1.
MICT overpowered their counterparts in the maiden encounter at Newlands Cricket Ground to register a comfortable 7-wicket triumph. Kagiso Rabada’s magical bowling figures of 2 for 12 in 4 overs played a pivotal role in restricting the Yellow and Greens to a minimal first-innings score of 105.
JSK bounced back strongly in the returning fixture at home to post a humongous total of 189 while batting first. MICT couldn’t replicate their earlier prowess, got all-out on 113 runs in the 18th over and gave away a bonus point to the arch-rivals.
Key Players
Gerald Coetzee: The 23-year-old pacer who recently made global headlines after being signed by Mumbai Indians, will don Yellow and Greens in the domestic T20 carnival. He was the third-highest wicket-taker of the inaugural SA20 season having attained 17 wickets in just 9 appearances. There will be a huge responsibility on the shoulders of Coetzee to lead the JSK bowling attack this season.
A classy knock laid the foundation for the Blue and Golds’ highest-ever SA20 score
Ryan Rickleton: When the DSG bowling attack made preparations for the MICT stars Dewald Brevis, Rassie van der Dussen, and Liam Livingstone, Rickleton emerged as an out-of-syllabus question. He played a magnificent innings scoring 87 runs off 51 and became the first batter to strike a half-century this season. Hailing from Johannesburg, the 27-year-old will be having acquaintance with playing conditions at Wanderers Stadium.
Predicted XIs
Joburg Super Kings: Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis ©, Leus du Plooy, Moeen Ali, Donovan Ferreira, Ronan Hermann (wk), Romario Shepherd, Gerald Coetzee, Lizaad Williams Nandre Burger, Imran Tahir
MI Cape Town: Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickleton (wk), Dewald Brevis, Connor Esterhuizen, Liam Livingstone, Kieron Pollard ©, Sam Curran, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Beuran Hendricks, Nuwan Thushara
Prediction
As we saw in the initial games, the advantage of playing in familiar home conditions is going to play a key role in this match as well. Moreover, MICT just got one day to regroup after the loss amidst travelling while the Super Kings are still fresh. Therefore, the winning odds are heavily favoring the case of JSK registering their first four-point feat of the season.