MSL 2019: Match 2, Durban Heat vs Tshwane Spartans: Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

After the clash of the finalists of 2018, it’s time for a match between last season’s bottom two teams. Durban Heat and Tshwane Spartans are all set to cross swords at the Kingsmead in Durban on Saturday, November 9. Last year, the teams met two times and on both instances, the Heat came out trumps, batting second. Barring the Spartans, the Heat only beat Cape Town Blitz once.

They finished as the cellar dwellers. The Spartans, on the other hand, had a pretty similar campaign as that of the Heat. The team, led by AB de Villiers, finished with 16 points and also had the worst Net Run Rate. This season, Heinrich Klaasen, who was a part of the Heat last season, will be in charge of the team. Both teams would be wishing for a victory to start their campaign in the 2019 MSL.

Pitch and Conditions

Three out of the four matches in Durban in the last MSL were won by the team, batting second. The other game was a nine-over rain curtailed match. The pitches aren’t expected to be overly tough for batting. The average score last season was around 145. There are chances of heavy rain from 1 PM onwards and so, the DLS could come into play. Chances of an abandoned game can’t be ruled out.

Team Combinations

Durban Heat

Th Heat’s batting isn’t the strongest on paper. The onus will mostly be on Alex Hales and David Miller. Hales didn’t have a great outing in the CPL and he’ll be keen to make amends. Bopara and Vilas’ experience will be important. Even Khaya Zondo can spank the bowling on his day. Kyle Abbott, Andile Phehlukwayo and Keshav Maharaj will hold the key in the bowling department.

Probable XI

Alex Hales, Sarel Erwee, Dane Vilas (C & WK), Khaya Zondo, David Miller, Ravi Bopara, Andile Phehlukwayo, Malusi Siboto/Marco Jansen, Shaun von Berg, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Abbott

Tshwane Spartans

The Spartans have the elegance of Dean Elgar and Theunis de Bruyn at the top followed by the power of AB de Villiers and Heinrich Klaasen. The likes of Van der Merwe and Wiaan Mulder can also wield the willow to good effect. The duo has to deliver with the ball as well. The Spartans have three quality pacers in Lutho Sipamla, Morne Morkel and Lungi Ngidi. Salamkheil adds the X-factor.

Probable XI

Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Heinrich Klaasen (C & WK), Roelof van der Merwe, Wiaan Mulder, Morne Morkel, Lungi Ngidi, Lutho Sipamla, Waqar Salamkheil

Probable Top Performers

Kyle Abbott– Durban Heat | AB de Villiers- Tshwane Spartans

Broadcast Details

TV – Sony Six, Sony Six HD

Online– Sony Liv

Match Timings – 16:00 IST, and 12:30 local.

The prediction is for Tshwane Spartans to win the match.