ABOUT THE MATCH
The second match of the new Mzansi Super League season, dubbed MSL 2.0, will see Durban Heat take on Tshwane Spartans at Kingsmead. The match takes place on November 9.
Durban beat the Spartans in both matches they played against each other last season, but neither qualified for the play-offs after generally poor campaigns. This year, however, the Heat have added Dane Vilas – last year’s title-winning captain – among other notable signings.
The Spartans still have AB de Villiers as a key player, however, while Morne Morkel and Lungi Ngidi will make for a formidable pace attack.
TOSS PREDICTION
On a pitch good for seamers, Dane Vilas will want to win his first toss as Durban captain and will probably put the Spartans in to bat.
PITCH AND CONDITIONS
Showers are forecast early on in Durban on Saturday, but the chance of raindrops to 24 percent in the afternoon. At the very least it will be humid and overcast at Kingsmead, however.
Traditionally favoring the seam bowlers, there should be a little assistance off the pitch for the quicks.
PROBABLE PLAYING XI OF Durban Heat
Alex Hales, Dane Vilas (c, wk), David Miller, Khaya Zondo, Ravi Bopara, Andile Phehlukwayo, Prenelan Subrayen, Keshav Maharaj, Wihan Lubbe, Kyle Abbott, Daryn Dupavillon
PROBABLE PLAYING XI OF Tshwane Spartans
Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, AB de Villiers, Heinrich Klaasen (c, wk), Tony de Zorzi, Roelof van der Merwe, Morne Morkel, Corbin Bosch, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi.
MATCH PREVIEW
Durban Heat
- Dane Vilas won the title with Jozi Stars last season but has now moved to captain Durban Heat.
- He was their top draft pick, while they had already secured Andile Phehlukwayo and Alex Hales as marquee players and signed up Ravi Bopara.
- They did not retain many, but Kyle Abbott, David Miller, and Keshav Maharaj are sticking around.
- Robbie Frylinck was initially selected but dropped out to play in the T10 league. Wesley Marshall took his place.
- Victories in their final two games of last season, including against the Tshwane Spartans, could not prevent Durban Heat finishing bottom of the table.
- They won three matches and lost six in total, with one no result.
- Tshwane Spartans will have to wait for their overseas marquee player, with Tom Curran currently away on England duty in New Zealand.
- AB de Villiers struck around as Protea Marquee Player, while Lungi Ngidi and Theunis de Bruyn were among those on a short retained list.
- In come players like Morne Morkel, Roelof van der Merwe, and Heinrich Klaasen. This is a team packed with experience.
- Defeats in their final two games consigned Tshwane Spartans to fifth place in the MSL table last season, with a record of four wins and six losses from their ten matches.
PROBABLE WINNING TEAM:
Durban Heat will be looking to start as they left off with a victory against Tshwane Spartans. They start as outsiders but they could upset those odds after some smart recruitment for MSL 2.0.
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