MI Cape Town v Paarl Royals – Preview

It’s the Western Cape derby when MI Cape Town entertains Paarl Royals on Friday afternoon at the Newlands Stadium in SA20. The Royals have been in an excellent following this season winning all three matches. Meanwhile, MI has won one and then lost two in the opening three matches. But the positive out of those three matches is how they have managed to score big totals.

MI Cape Town are still gutted on how they have lost the last match against Champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Newlands Stadium. After electing to bowl, the youngster Jordan Hermann had a joyous day scoring a century to take the Sunrisers to a commendable 202 scoreline. Hermann was assisted largely by David Malan, who snatched his half-century. In the chase, MI got off to a flying start with the openers Rassie Var Der Dussen and Ryan Rickleton having a great opening stand of 108-0. Then a game was lost in a short space of time with MI reduced to 124-4. Keiron Pollard and Sam Curran built from there and were in a fine position to take the MI Cape Town over the line.

With 26 runs needed in the last over, many would have fancied MI to cruise past, especially with the experience of Pollard. But he got dismissed cheaply than in the last over it was 14 required for victory. Ottiniel Baartman was given the task of bowling a crucial over. In his first ball, he was thumped for six runs by Curran. But he wasn’t disappointed, in which he managed to drive his side to an important win. MI have shown they are a good batting side even though their bowling has let them down a couple of times. To lose Rashid Khan before the tournament kick-off due to an injury came with the problems. For instance, in the last match, six bowlers were given a task by Pollard on the day. Neither of them managed to get the wickets. So that must be addressed. Their ace Kagiso Rabada has not been at his best so far. The only positive to take is that he doesn’t leak too many runs.

So, if they want to increase their chances of winning, they have to be more accurate against a dangerous side like the Royals. To be against a team full of winning momentum is stressful on its own as any mistake you make won’t go unpunished. Royals are in cruise control so far. In the last match, they pulled out an emphatic performance against Joburg Super Kings. They chased a modest 134 score with 35 balls to spare. Jos Buttler won the match with an astonishing 70 runs knock on the day of. Lungi Ngidi, who has taken 8 wickets this season, led from the from with three wickets. Meanwhile, Obed McCoy took his two scalps on a very good day for the Royals.

Heading to Friday’s clash, the Royals will be the favorite to win and have to do it away from home. It won’t be a walkover the park as MI has a good batting line-up.

What To Expect

Hot conditions with the temperature reaching 30 during the day. Newlands Stadium has seen some big scorelines and it promises history to repeat itself.

Prediction

Best Bet: Paarl Royal to win at 2.00

BET Contributor

Tims is a CSA accreditated freelance cricket writer who also does cricket commentary for Guerilla Cricket SA and founder of the Full Quota Podcast.