Mzansi Super League 2019, Paarl Rocks vs Durban Heat: 3 in-form players to watch out for
Match No. 24 of the Mzansi Super League 2019 will see the league leaders Paarl Rocks take on the Durban Heat at Bolan Park in Paarl in the aim to keep hold of their top spot.
Both the teams come into the clash on the back of wins as the Paarl Rocks beat the Jozi Stars whereas the Durban Heat got a great win over the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants.
The Paarl Rocks are currently atop the Mzansi Super League 2019 standings with 23 points from eight matches and are tied on points with Nelson Mandela Bay Giants. They will aim to keep the pressure on the Bay Giants with another win to stay ahead of the competition.
However, the Durban Heat will make the Rocks work hard for a win as they come into the clash with two wins on the trot. The Heat are in red hot form getting key wins over in-form sides Nelson Mandela Bay Giants and Cape Town Blitz and will aim to make their way above in the league standings. They are currently on 14 points from seven matches and can go into a playoffs spot with a win over the Rocks tonight.
With stakes set high for the two sides, we take a look at three players whose performances will be key to determine the result of the match at the Bolan Park.
#3 Wihan Lubbe - Durban Heat
Durban Heat's No. 3 batsman Wihan Lubbe played his first match of the Mzansi Super League 2019 in the middle of the season against the Cape Town Blitz. He made a smashing debut scoring 83 runs in 42 balls but was unfortunate to help his side get the win over the Blitz.
Lubbe had two rough outings against the Tshwane Spartans and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants with two ducks but has managed to get back on track in the last couple of matches with two 30+ scores. He possesses the ability to build a good partnership with any of the middle-order batsmen especially with the availability of South African international David Miller below him in the innings.
He will back himself to continue his form with the bat and with a crucial No.3 spot to fill, will aim to keep the 30+ scores coming in as the Durban Heat build their innings.
#2 Tabraiz Shamsi - Paarl Rocks
Paarl Rocks have been the most in-form team in the Mzansi Super League 2019 as they are ably placed at the top of the league standings with 23 points in eight matches.
One of the crucial cogs in the team has been the left-arm chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi, who leads the charts for them with the most wickets taken. He is placed in the top five spots in the league with 10 wickets in seven matches so far.
Shamsi is very economical with his bowling spells and kept an economy rate lower than 7 through the seven matches. He has managed to keep the opposition batsmen busy in the middle of the park with his ability to spin the ball both way and keep a strong line. He has not conceded more than 30 runs in the past five matches and has consistently picked up crucial wickets to make him one of the players to watch out for in the match.
#1 David Miller - Durban Heat
Durban Heat's star player David Miller has been one of the major stalwarts in the squad as the team have started to turn the tables around after being unfortunate to miss out on matches due to the rain gods. The Durban Heat saw three of their matches being abandoned due to rain but have done well to rack up two wins in a row.
Heat will hope David Miller continues to impress in the middle order as they aim to make their surge towards the playoffs spot as a win tonight against the Rocks will lift them over the Cape Town Blitz in the league standings.
Miller scored an unbeaten 50 in the Heat's last win over the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants at home turf and will be hoping to continue his fine form with the bat to lead his side to a hat-trick of wins in the league.