After ending up on the right side of an edge of the seat thriller against Paarl Rocks, Tshwane Spartans opened their accounts in the Mzansi Super League but there was no such luck for Durban Heat who surrendered to Cape Town Blitz in their opener. The Spartans are starting to find their feet in the competition and have a power packed top-order capable of testing any bowling attack.
Led by Albie Morkel, Durban Heat came under the pump against the fiery pace of Anrich Nortje in their opener. The return of David Miller should help the Heat in adding some firepower to their middle-order although they might want to focus on fighting the Spartans' top-order with their bowling.
Conditions: Clear day and a true batting pitch expected.
Player Recommendations
Wicket-keeper: Gihahn Cloete (8 points)
The Tshwane Spartans wicket-keeper should just about edge out Heinrich Klaasen and Morne van Wyk for the wicket-keeper's slot. Cloete, who made his T20I debut recently, appeared clueless against Nortje in the opener but so did a lot of other batsmen. He made up for that with a 49-ball 80 against Paarl Rocks and should be backed given his form and the ordinary attack of the Durban Heat side.
Batsman: AB de Villiers (11 points)
de Villiers has had a sensational start to the tournament at home with scores of 59 and 32, both coming at strike rates of 170-plus. He is the top scorer in the tournament after two matches and also showcased his prowess
After ending up on the right side of an edge of the seat thriller against Paarl Rocks, Tshwane Spartans opened their accounts in the Mzansi Super League but there was no such luck for Durban Heat who surrendered to Cape Town Blitz in their opener. The Spartans are starting to find their feet in the competition and have a power packed top-order capable of testing any bowling attack.
Led by Albie Morkel, Durban Heat came under the pump against the fiery pace of Anrich Nortje in their opener. The return of David Miller should help the Heat in adding some firepower to their middle-order although they might want to focus on fighting the Spartans' top-order with their bowling.
Conditions: Clear day and a true batting pitch expected.
Player Recommendations
Wicket-keeper: Gihahn Cloete (8 points)
The Tshwane Spartans wicket-keeper should just about edge out Heinrich Klaasen and Morne van Wyk for the wicket-keeper's slot. Cloete, who made his T20I debut recently, appeared clueless against Nortje in the opener but so did a lot of other batsmen. He made up for that with a 49-ball 80 against Paarl Rocks and should be backed given his form and the ordinary attack of the Durban Heat side.
Batsman: AB de Villiers (11 points)
de Villiers has had a sensational start to the tournament at home with scores of 59 and 32, both coming at strike rates of 170-plus. He is the top scorer in the tournament after two matches and also showcased his prowess in the warm-up before for the tournament with a 31 ball 93 against Jozi Stars. With the bowling attack that Durban has, de Villiers has to be the No. 1 choice in your fantasy team. Fit him in, even if it means you have to compromise on the composition of the side.
All-rounder: Jeevan Mendis (8.5 points)
The Sri Lankan leg-spinner could be handy on the turning Kingsmead wicket. He has a decent googly, some enticing flight and all the right ingredients for a T20 bowler. He was among the best of Spartans bowlers on show in the two games so far and could be a handful on the slower wickets in Durban. With the bat he offers a lower order option although it is unlikely he might be needed if de Villiers goes down town.
Bowler: Keshav Maharaj (8 points)
Maharaj had a memorable first game against the Cape Town Blitz at home, in spite of Pakistan batsman Asif Ali going bonkers. Maharaj picked up three of the top five wickets and was economical in his spell dispelling notions that left-arm spinners aren't as good in T20s. Him against de Villiers could be an interesting battle given the veteran batsman's fallacies against left-arm spin. Back Maharaj, especially on this Durban surface. The fact that he costs you less is an added bonus.
Captain: AB de Villiers
Vice-captain: Keshav Maharaj
