Joburg Super Kings v Sunrisers Eastern Cape – Preview

In the first match between these two sides, the weather conditions had the final say. It ended up producing no results. Now these teams will collide once again in Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon in what promises to be a mouthwatering encounter. Joburg Super Kings has one thing on mind- to win to come closer to the semi-final spot. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Eastern Cape will be hoping to cement its spot inside the top four.

When these two sides meet it always provides some good cricket match. Many will remember last year’s semi-final match where Joburg Super Kings were beaten at home by Sunrisers Eastern Cape. That match still carries out wounds that are yet to be healed especially since the Super Giants had an incredible season all along. To lose the match was not something many thought it would happen. Now this season things have turned up to be worse for them. The team is firing blank this season and still has to fight for a place in the last four. It is a testament to how things can change in a short space of time. But will head to the clash motivated to get the job done.

Following a dominant win over MI Cape Town on Monday away from home in Cape Town. The team is breathing a sigh of relief so far. Their bowlers did an excellent job, especially Imran Thahir and Lizaad Williams to force MI to an 89 scoreline in the rain-affected game that ended up being trimmed to eight over. It was not the first time Williams has stars with the ball as he is the leading wicket-taker for the side with 11 wickets in 7 matches with an average of 16.67. Given advised 98 runs to chase with 8 overs, their opening batsmen Faf Du Plessis and Leus De Plooy batted in a spectacular fashion completing the match inside 5.4 overs.

Du Plessis, who has been out of form this season, scored a half-century in just 20 balls. While, De Plooy, a leading run-go-getter for Super Kings with 224 runs, provided an outstanding 41 runs knock. So they would be hoping to carry the momentum to this clash. Meanwhile, Sunrisers have shown a pretty balanced line-up in terms of maturity, discipline, and leadership. It is a team not made of stars but players who share one vision in mind. Their fighting spirit has separated them from the rest. They are truly playing with the heart out as the defending champions.

In the last match, they defeated MI Cape Town in a hard-fought 4-run win. Aiden Markram and Tom Abell both scored half-centuries to take their side to a wonderful 175 total. Then the bowling line-up was spearheaded by Ottniel Baartman, who is sitting on the 10 wickets to take the champions to victory. So, a victory today will cement their last three finish. So, drawing from last year’s victory, they would be hoping to do it again, would they?

What To Expect

The venue has been favoring both batsmen and bowlers. So, it shall be a game expected to provide the big total. The last time these two sides faced, the Sunrisers posted well above the 200 scoreline which they defended.

Prediction

Best Bet: Joburg Super Kings to win at 2.00