Mzansi Super League 2019, Jozi Stars vs Paarl Rocks: 3 in-form players to watch out for
The Mzansi Super League 2019 begins it final third of the season with the 21st match as the Paarl Rocks visit the Jozi Stars for their clash at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The two teams have had very different fortunes so far in the MSL 2019 season, with the Paarl Rocks sitting comfortably on the second spot in the league standings. On the other side, the MSL 2018 champions, Jozi Stars have struggled since the start failing to register any wins in their six matches played so far.
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With contrasting aims in sight, the two sides will aim to get the win in the fixture to improve their position on the table. Stars will be gunning to get their first win of the season whereas the Rocks will aim to put the defeat against the current league leaders Tshwane Spartans behind and get back in form.
Jozi Stars will undergo a major change as Pakistani all-rounder Shoaib Malik comes into the squad to replace West Indian opener Chris Gayle who left the Stars mid-season.
We take a look at three players whose performances on the pitch could prove crucial in deciding the final result of the match.
#3 Temba Tavuma - Jozi Stars
South African international batsman Temba Bavuma has been one of the shining lights in the Jozi Stars lineup as he been amongst the runs along with teammate Reeza Hendricks.
Bavuma has been consistently delivered for the Stars with the bat from the No. 3 position despite the struggles of the team to get any wins so far. His batting performances have seen him score above 25 runs in all the innings that he has been a part of the for the Stars.
His highest score came against the Cape Town Blitz away from home when he got 62 runs. Bavuma scores at an effective strike rate of 137.32 providing the Stars a right base to build a good competitive score. He has shown his form on the pitch so far in the league and will be expected to deliver yet again for the Jozi Stars if they are to turn things around and get their first win of the Mzansi Super League 2019.
#2 Tabraiz Shamsi - Paarl Rocks
Paarl Rocks' Chinaman bowler, Tabraiz Shamsi, has risen steadily to become one of the deadliest bowlers in the Mzansi Super League 2019. Shamsi features amongst the top five wicket-taking bowlers list right now having taken nine wickets in six matches.
Shamsi began the league on a superb note, taking three wickets for 16 runs against the Cape Town Blitz as they bundled the Blitz to a paltry score of just 84 runs. Since the first match, he has consistently maintained his disciplined bowling with one match being an exception where he conceded more than 40 runs.
Shamsi has also been quite economical when you take into consideration that he is a leg spinner and kept the run flow of his opposition batsmen in check. His spell of four overs could be highly influential for the Paarl Rocks to gain an advantage over the Jozi Stars and get back on their way to the top of the MSL 2019 league standings.
#1 Reeza Hendricks - Jozi Stars
Jozi Stars have continued to struggle to get wins on the board in their six matches in the Mzansi Super League 2019 so far but their batsmen have done well getting runs. Reeza Hendricks has been the standout performer for the Jozi Stars with his 201 runs in six matches. He features as the third-highest run-scorer in the MSL 2019 behind only Janneman Malan and JJ Smuts from Cape Town Blitz and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants respectively.
Hendricks opens the batting for the Jozi Stars and managed to overshadow the presence of the star T20 batsman Chris Gayle with his consistent performances at the top of the innings. He began with scores of 80 and 62 runs at the start of the season but could not lead the side to victories in those matches.
The right-handed Hendricks will aim to overcome his duck from the last match against the Tshwane Spartans and get back to his form to potentially get the first win for the Jozi Stars.