Defending champs Jozi Stars look to make up ground


2019 Mzansi Super League

Review/preview, 8-17 November


Jozi Stars, the defending champions of the Mzansi Super League (MSL) will look to make up ground in the coming days’ fixtures after they opened the 2019 edition with back-to-back defeats.

The Johannesburg side were beaten by both Cape Town Blitz (in a repeat of last season’s final) and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants this past weekend.

The log is currently topped by Paarl Rocks, Giants and Blitz – all of whom have four points – with Durban Heat and Tshwane Spartans on two points apiece (their showdown in Durban was rained out) and Stars rock bottom with zero points.

Cape Town Blizt fast bowler Dale Steyn

Two losses from as many matches leaves Stars with no choice but to get back to winning form when they tackle Blitz again – this time in Cape Town – on Thursday evening, before a home clash against the Giants on Saturday. The Johannesburg side will hope Reeza Hendricks can continue his form, having notched up two half-centuries thus far.

The next round of matches opens on Wednesday with Tshwane Spartans hosting Nelson Mandela Bay Giants at SuperSport Park, Centurion. Spartans captain Heinrich Klaasen says he is enjoying his new leadership role.
Mzansi super league

“I’m taking it as a learning experience,” he explained. “These guys [Spartans’ squad] are experienced cricketers, they’ve played all around the world, they’re extremely talented cricketers as the stats show, so for me it’s a good way to learn new things and it’s exciting.

“It’s a huge honour to lead them, but I see it more as me learning from them rather than leading them. It will be about finding the right balance and managing the way how I handle things.”

Paarl Rocks batsman Faf du Plessis

The weekend proper opens on Friday evening with Durban Heat hosting Paarl Rocks in Durban and hoping that the weather doesn’t ruin another match, before the Stars v Giants clash on Saturday afternoon in Johannesburg.

Sunday features a double-header, with a mid-morning start for Durban Heat and Cape Town Blitz at Kingsmead, before an afternoon battle at Boland Park between Paarl Rocks and Tshwane Spartans.

2019 Mzansi Super League

Results, 8-10 November


8 November
Cape Town Blitz (213/3) beat Jozi Stars (198/5) by 15 runs
Wanderers, Johannesburg

9 November
Durban Heat v Tshwane Spartans – Abandoned due to rain
Kingsmead, Durban

10 November
Paarl Rocks (170/9) beat Cape Town Blitz (84) by 86 runs
Boland Park, Paarl

10 November
Nelson Mandela Bay Giants (167/7) beat Jozi Stars (143/5) by 24 runs
St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Fixtures, 13-17 November


13 November
Tshwane Spartans v Nelson Mandela Bay Giants – SuperSport Park, Centurion

14 November
Cape Town Blitz v Jozi Stars – Newlands, Cape Town

15 November
Durban Heat v Paarl Rocks – Kingsmead, Durban

16 November
Jozi Stars v Nelson Mandela Bay Giants – Wanderers, Johannesburg

17 November
Durban Heat v Cape Town Blitz – Kingsmead, Durban
Paarl Rocks v Tshwane Spartans – Boland Park, Paarl

If you’re interested in betting on any of the live local cricket action of the Mzansi Super League, make sure to visit Betway where you’ll find all the upcoming fixtures.
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Published: 11/13/2019