DSG vs MCT Match Preview
The Durban Super Giants and MI Cape Town finished 5th and 6th respectively on the points table last season and failed to make the cut to the playoffs. As both teams begin a fresh journey, they will hope to put up a better performance this time around.
The Durban Super Giants managed to win 4 of the 10 matches last season and finished on equal footing with the Paarl Royals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in terms of points. However, they were unlucky to miss out on the playoff berth due to a poor NRR.
Keshav Maharaj takes the team’s mantel from the hands of Quinton de Kock. He has plenty of batting firepower at his disposal and will bank on his explosive batting line-up to deliver the goods. Quinton de Kock will likely open the batting alongside West Indian all-rounder Kyle Mayers.
Tony de Zorzi, Heinrich Klaasen, and Nicholas Pooran are likely to follow them. Each of these batsmen can play some explosive shots and take the match away from the opposition in a matter of just a few deliveries. The seam attack will likely consist of Junior Dala, Wiaan Mulder, and Dwaine Pretorius, while Keshav Maharaj and JJ Smuts are likely to feature in the spin department.
The MI Cape Town was the worst-performing team last season, managing to win just 3 of the 10 matches and finished at the bottom of the table.
Kieron Pollard, who is making his SA20 debut this season, takes over the reins of the team from Rashid Khan, who is likely to miss the entire season due to an injury. Pollard is a capable all-rounder and will have the support of Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone in the middle order.
Tom Banton, Rassie van der Dussen, and Connor Esterhuizen are likely to feature at the top of the batting line-up and will look to give the team a brisk start. MI Cape Town has strengthened its seam attack by bringing in Nuwan Thushara, who will join Kagiso Rabads, Beuran Hendricks, Duan Jansen, and Olly Stone.
The spin department does look a bit understaffed in the absence of Rashid Khan.
Weather Report
The skies in Durban are expected to remain overcast in Durban on Thursday. However, the chances of rain are pretty slim. The weather will remain warm and humid with temperatures of between 23 and 25 degrees.
Pitch Report
The pitch at the Kingsmead Stadium is well-balanced and we can expect an engaging contest between the bat and the ball. The average first-inning score on this ground is around 160. The quicker bowlers can expect some movement when the ball is new but it does get a bit easier to bat as the ball gets older.
That said, the spinners who bowl a good line and length will be rewarded on this pitch.
Notable stats
Pretorius: Value Pick
Dwaine Pretorius is a consistent performer with the ball in the shortest format. He has picked up 10 wickets in his last 6 outings at a bowling strike rate of 12.60.
Team News
There are no updates regarding injuries from either side.
DSG vs MCT Probable 11
DSG Playing 11
- Quinton de Kock (Wk)
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Keshav Maharaj (C)
- Nicholas Pooran
- Kyle Mayers
- Tony de Zorzi
- Matthew Breetzke
- Dwaine Pretorius
- Wiaan Mulder
- Junior Dala
- JJ Smuts
MCT Playing 11
- Tom Banton (Wk)
- Kieron Pollard (C)
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Dewald Brevis
- Liam Livingstone
- Sam Curran
- George Linde
- Connor Esterhuizen
- Kagiso Rabada
- Nuwan Thushara
- Beuran Hendricks
Dream11 Prediction
We are backing the Durban Super Giants to win this match. They have an excellent record against MI Cape Town and have won both their matches against the team so far. The Super Giants have a well-balanced team, at least on paper, and are likely to end up on top in this contest.
Top Picks
Heinrich Klaasen: Klaasen had an excellent outing last season as he scored 363 runs at an average of 60.50.
Kieron Pollard: Pollard is one of the most experienced players in the T20 format. He has scored 12390 runs in his career and has also picked up 312 wickets.
Keshav Maharaj: Maharaj has picked up 111 wickets in his T20 career and has also scored 637 runs.
DSG vs MCT Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: Q de Kock, N Pooran (C), H Klaasen
Batters: K Pollard, R van der-Dussen, D Brevis, T de Zorzi
All-rounders: D Pretorius (VC), S Curran
Bowlers: K Rabada, K Maharaj
