MI Cape Town v Durban Super Giants – Preview

The ongoing second edition of the SA20 competition is now reaching the boiling stage as teams are fighting to reach the knock-out stages. Each match now is crucial, and no team wants to lose. On Tuesday 23 December, MI Cape Town will welcome Durban Super Giants in the iconic Newlands Stadium in Cape Town. MI will be hoping to bounce back into the winning ways following a disappointing loss to Paarl Royals. So are Super Giants, a victory here will bring down a two-match losing streak. So, no team will want to go down without a fight.

In the five matches, MI has been battling to find its feet and be consistent in terms of getting good results. They are yet to win two consecutive matches. Sitting in fourth position with nine points after winning two games plus accumulating a bonus point against Joburg Super Kings. A win against Super Giants will take them into the third position to leapfrog the opposition. This is going to be the second time having to face each other this season. In the first fixture, MI posted a big total of 207 runs on the good batting surface at the Kingsmead Stadium. Ryan Rickleton pulled out a tremendous performance of 87 runs to take his side close to victory. But Heinrich Klaasen was in a good mood and had another idea scoring 85 runs to take Super Giants to a historical win.

So, MI will head to a match full of pain and scars from the first meeting. In all matches so far, MI has shown good abilities with the bat. It is one of the feared sides when it comes to their batting line-up. It is no surprise that Rickleton is the highest-run go-getter in the current campaign with 342 runs under his belt. He has been in wonderful form and no doubt will be considered for the Proteas team in the upcoming T20 World to be hosted in the US and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite the strong base of batting, MI bowlers have yet to provide entertainment to the team. As the competition reaches the final phases, it so crucial that each side becomes a clinical in all departments.

Meanwhile, the Super Giants seemed to lose some momentum a bit. Two losses back-to-back into the hands of Pretoria Capitals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape respectively have done huge damage to them. The Coastal side now has dropped to third position on league standings from being the leaders. It has raised some questions about how they have gotten it wrong of late. In the last match, Super Giants were put under immense pressure posting 159 against Sunrisers. Wiaan Mulder came to the rescue with the 31 runs cameo on the day. But Tristan Stubbs was too good to take the Sunrisers to a five-wicket victory. It was a very disappointing defeat, especially for the side that was playing at home. The signals have been indicating a failure to post a good total on the board.

Even in the match versus Super Kings, Super Giants posted partly 145. Even though they managed to defend it, it was a win that came from the bowling department. Now as the team is showing cracks, it raises big questions on how they will bounce back from this era of darkness. As the team in the past has shown unit, it is about time, they go back to that. So, a win today will serve as an encouragement going forward.

What To Expect

A very good pitch that going to assist batters batting first on the day. A score above 190 would be hard to chase.

Prediction

Best Bet: Mi Cape Town to win at 1.68

Value Bet: Ricee Topley to be the top bowler for the away team at 4.50

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