South Africa T20 League

29th Match: JSK vs MICT

Preview

JSK and MICT will lock horns for the 29th match of the South Africa T20 League 2023. The match will be played at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Monday, 06 February at 09:00 PM IST. Another enthralling battle awaits between the 2nd-placed Joburg and the 6th-placed MICT. JSK currently has 22 points in the 9 matches that the side has played, including 5 wins and 3 losses. Whereas, the table bottom side has 13 points in the 9 matches that the side has played, including 3 wins and 6 losses. 

With the SA T20 League just about to approach the playoff stages, a few teams still hang in the balance as to if they will be a part of that or not. As far as this encounter goes, the fate of JSK and MICT has been sealed and one will be playing for pride, and one will be playing to continue their momentum. After a poor start to the tournament, JSK has made an incredible comeback as they have not only qualified for the playoffs, but also sit 2nd on the points table of this tournament. As this is the last game before the playoffs, they will want to continue this momentum going into the playoffs.

The 6th-placed MICT on the other hand is playing for pride, as they have no chance of qualifying for the playoffs. After making a good start to the tournament, they could not make the most out of it, as their inconsistent run hampered their run. After a disastrous start in the tournament, JSK has managed to put up an incredible run which has seen them qualify for the Semi-Finals in the first edition of the SA20 League. After winning the next game, Joburg will be looking to take that momentum going into the Semi-Finals.

After winning the toss and deciding to bowl first, the Super Kings exhibited as they piled up a 114-run partnership for the 1st wicket. The skipper of the side Faf du Plessis was at his usual best and in great form as he scored 92 runs in 61 balls. They ended up with a total of 160 runs, which they would be disappointed with, but was a good total in the end.

With a decent target to defend, the JSK's bowling department was on fire, picking up 3 wickets in the powerplay. After a brief partnership from the opposition, the bowling unit fought back picking up wickets at regular intervals, winning the game by 24 runs. The left-handed batter Kyle Simmonds was the pick of the bowlers picking up 3 wickets for 23 runs.

MICT is currently placed second-last on the points table and has its fate sealed as they have been eliminated in the group stage itself. With just 1 game to go in the league stages, MICT will want to end the tournament on a high and build momentum for the next season.

After putting into bat first, MICT got off to a good start. As the innings progressed MICT could not capitalize on that start. Losing wickets are regular intervals, which slowed down their inning's progression. Managing to just score 159 runs getting bowled out, was a decent and fighting total. The Proteas middle-order batter Van Der Dussan managed to score 51 off 29 balls, which included 4 fours and 4 sixes.

The bowling department did a really good job in almost clinching the victory for the MICT. Losing the game by just 1 wicket will be a tough loss to swallow, as it could have meant they could have still qualified. The English all-rounder Sam Curran was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up 3 wickets for 26 runs, in his 4 overs.

Match Details

Match: JSK vs MICT, 29th Match, South Africa T20 League

Date: Monday, February 06, 2023

Time: 09:00 PM

Venue: The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Pitch & Weather Report

The team that wins the toss would want to bat first at the Wanderers Stadium. Given the history of the ground, the team will look to bat first. Making use of the pitch while it is fresh, will be the best thing to do, as it can wear down as the match moves forward. The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg usually offers plenty of help to fast bowlers. They will get bounce and movement throughout. However, the ball also comes on nicely to the bat once the batter gets their eye in.

This venue has a capacity of the ground is 33000+ which will host the 29th match of the SA 20 League. In the last 26 T20s played at this venue, the team batting first has won 13 games. The batting in the second half is getting easier. The team winning the toss is likely to field first.

The maximum temperature will remain at 27°C, with a low of 14°C with 63% humidity, and a light wind speed of 13 Km/hr for the 29th SA T20 match on Feb 06 between JSK and MICT. The skies will remain clear on the match day on Monday with no sign of rain interruption.

JSK vs MICT Squads

JSK: Faf du Plessis (c), Reeza Hendricks, Leus du Plooy, Sibonelo Makhanya, Matthew Wade (wk), Donavon Ferreira, Romario Shepherd, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Kyle Simmonds, Maheesh Theekshana, Neil Brand, Alzarri Joseph, Caleb Seleka, Janneman Malan, Aaron Phangiso, Lewis Gregory, Lizaad Williams, Kyle Verreynne, Malusi Siboto, George Garton

MICT: Grant Roelofsen (wk), Rashid Khan (c), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Sam Curran, Rassie van der Dussen, George Linde, Delano Potgieter, Odean Smith, Jofra Archer, Kagiso Rabada, Olly Stone, Liam Livingstone, Ziyaad Abrahams, Waqar Salamkheil, Wesley Marshall, Duan Jansen, Beuran Hendricks

JSK vs MICT: Probable XIs

JSK: Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis(c), Donavon Ferreira, Leus du Plooy, Sibonelo Makhanya, Matthew Wade(w), Romario Shepherd, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Kyle Simmonds, Maheesh Theekshana

MICT: Dewald Brevis, Grant Roelofsen(w), Wesley Marshall, Rassie van der Dussen, George Linde, Tim David, Odean Smith, Sam Curran, Duan Jansen, Rashid Khan(c), Kagiso Rabada

Match Prediction

It would be a do-or-die contest for MICT which comes into this game on the back of 3 losses and at the second bottom of the table. MICT might not have a chance to make it to the playoffs but they will want to end on a good note. JSK on the other hand has already qualified and will be looking to go into the playoffs with a win under their belt under the leadership of Faf Du Plessis. A cracker of the contest awaits, as these are 2 of the strongest teams and will look for bragging rights. Overall, though, We say JSK look to be a much stronger team and should come out on top.

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