22nd Match Preview: Durban Heat vs. Nelson Mandela Bay Giants

22nd Match Preview: Durban Heat vs. Nelson Mandela Bay Giants

Durban Heat and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants will clash in the 22nd match of the inaugural Mzansi Super League (MSL) in Durban on Wednesday. The game is of greater significance for the home side who are now looking a likely candidate to miss out on the playoffs.

In their previous game, Heat registered a nine-wicket humiliation against Paarl Rocks on Sunday. In the batting department, the team management is desperate to see the return of form of veteran middle-order batsman David Miller, whom they were depending to provide the team with big finish. In the bowling department, the onus will be once again on the pace duo of Kyle Abbott and Vernon Philander to provide timely breakthroughs.

On the other hand, the Giants are in great position to qualify for the playoffs as they are placed third position in the league table after managing to win four out of seven matches, with one game washed out. However, in their previous game, just like the Heat, Giants also faced an 81-run thrashing against Jozi Stars on Sunday in Port Elizabeth. In the batting department, there is no standout performer for the side till now in the tournament, whereas in the bowling department, Sisada Magala and Chris Morris are doing a great job for the team.

Key Players:


Ben Duckett – 9 Cr

First in the list of key players features Nelson Mandela Bay Giants wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Duckett. The 24-year-old is in decent form with the bat and is the leading run-scorer

Durban Heat and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants will clash in the 22nd match of the inaugural Mzansi Super League (MSL) in Durban on Wednesday. The game is of greater significance for the home side who are now looking a likely candidate to miss out on the playoffs.

In their previous game, Heat registered a nine-wicket humiliation against Paarl Rocks on Sunday. In the batting department, the team management is desperate to see the return of form of veteran middle-order batsman David Miller, whom they were depending to provide the team with big finish. In the bowling department, the onus will be once again on the pace duo of Kyle Abbott and Vernon Philander to provide timely breakthroughs.

On the other hand, the Giants are in great position to qualify for the playoffs as they are placed third position in the league table after managing to win four out of seven matches, with one game washed out. However, in their previous game, just like the Heat, Giants also faced an 81-run thrashing against Jozi Stars on Sunday in Port Elizabeth. In the batting department, there is no standout performer for the side till now in the tournament, whereas in the bowling department, Sisada Magala and Chris Morris are doing a great job for the team.

Key Players:


Ben Duckett – 9 Cr

First in the list of key players features Nelson Mandela Bay Giants wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Duckett. The 24-year-old is in decent form with the bat and is the leading run-scorer for the franchise in the tournament with 149 runs in six matches at an average of nearly 30 and strike-rate of 125.16. Valued at 9 Cr, Duckett can prove to be a decent purchase for your team as he has the ability to score big on any given day. Also, Duckett has ample amount of experience of playing T20 leagues in different parts of the world and therefore, he has the ability of adjusting into different conditions easily. The Kent-born has played 80 T20 matches, where he has 1,346 runs at an average of 29.73 with nine half-centuries.

Chris Morris – 9.5 Cr

Second in the list of key players features Nelson Mandela Bay Giants all-rounder Chris Morris. After having a slow start, the 31-year-old is now having a great time, at least with the ball and is franchise's joint-leading wicket-taker with seven scalps in five matches. Therefore, Morris, who is valued at 9.5 Cr, is a player to have in your team as he can provide timely breakthroughs and can also score important runs lower down the order. Morris has played 155 T20 matches, where he has claimed 191 wickets and scored 1,291 runs.

Vernon Philander – 8.5 Cr

Last in the list of key players features Durban Heat's all-rounder Vernon Philander. The 33-year-old is one of the few Heat players who are having a decent tournament. Valued at 8.5 Cr, Philander has already scored 109 runs for the franchise at an average of 36.33 and has four wickets to his name as well, which shows that he can prove to be more than decent purchase for your team come Wednesday.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Azeem Siddiqui
Passionate sports follower in the field of sports journalism for more than five years. Loves writing about cricket, football, and tennis.
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