The SA20 2023 season resumed with a bang after a week's break as Durban's Super Giants (DSG) defeated MI Cape Town in a last-over thriller at Kingsmead on Thursday.
The Super Giants are left with two more games this season, with a match against Sunrisers Eastern Cape on Friday evening next on their horizon. After three wins, DSG have 12 points to their name, white the Sunrisers could be one of the favourites to qualify for the playoffs this year.
However, having lost the previous battle against the Sunrisers this season, the Super Giants will be eager to grab a win against them on February 3 as they look to settle the score.
De Kock to lead from the front once again
DSG skipper Quinton de Kock returned to action with a match-winning knock of 63 runs in 41 balls against MI Cape Town yesterday. In the ongoing SA20 competition, the southpaw has scored 228 runs in eight games at an average of 28.50 so far.
Heinrich Klaasen, who has been the top performer for DSG this season, will be required to play his part in the upcoming fixture as well. The South African gloveman has amassed 259 runs in eight matches at an average of 43.16 so far.
Protea batter Matthew Breetzke played an unbeaten knock of 48 runs against MI Cape Town in the last game. His mature innings made sure DSG took home a win with a ball to spare. Breetzke will definitely play a prominent role at No. 3 against the Sunrisers.
Australia's Ben McDermott and English all-rounder David Willey joined the Super Giants' camp after Caribbean all-rounders Kyle Mayers and Jason Holder left for their national duties against Zimbabwe.
With the new team combinations, Durban's Super Giants will look to surprise and dominate opposition teams in the upcoming games.
Economical overs key for DSG's success
All-rounder Dwaine Pretorius took a couple of wickets in the last game against Cape Town. With eight wickets in seven games so far, he is the highest wicket-taker for the Super Giants.
Meanwhile, apart from taking wickets, DSG spinners have always bowled economically in the middle overs, which has dented the opponents' plans for posting big totals.
Off-spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer bowled at or under seven an over to keep a check on the run flow in their previous encounter against MI Cape Town. They will be expected to replicate the same against the Sunrisers.
The Super Giants are well-packed with pacers like Reece Topley, Pretorius, Willey, Wiaan Mulder, and Keemo Paul. They will be hoping to stand up and be counted in the team’s penultimate group stage match.
A confident Durban's Super Giants, led by Quinton de Kock, will start as slight favourites with momentum on their side ahead of the 25th match of the competition against Sunrisers Eastern Cape on Friday.
Probable starting XI
After a win against Cape Town, the Super Giants will most likely go unchanged against the Sunrisers.
Ben McDermott, Quinton de Kock (c), Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Dwaine Pretorius, David Willey, Keemo Paul, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, and Reece Topley.
