Cape Cobras are favorites to win
Table-topping Cape Cobras host third-placed Lions at Newlands, Cape Town, in the 2019 CSA T20 Challenge. The match is scheduled for April 26 and the live action begins at 18:00 local time.
TV channels: SuperSport, Sony Six, Sky Sports
Live streaming: SuperSport Live
Cape Cobras have won the toss in each of their last two matches and have elected to field first in both games.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds and match prediction for Cape Cobras vs Lions, CSA T20 Challenge.
Jason Smith replaced Dane Paterson in the bowling attack last time out, but bowled just one expensive over and, if Paterson is fit, that change could be reversed. Cape Cobras have otherwise tended to be consistent with their line-up, with Hashim Amla trying to bat himself into World Cup form at the top of the order.
Janneman Malan was the star of the show when these teams last met in CSA T20 Challenge, hammering an unbeaten 103 to lead Cape Cobras to victory. He averages 39 so far and boasts a strike rate of 150.
Only two other Cobras’ batsmen have passed 100 runs in their five matches so far. David Bedingham did so with his half-century last time out to move to 118 runs so far, while Kyle Verreynne has hit 116 runs in four innings.
Hashim Amla’s form has been scratchy as he looks to get back to his best, but there is little doubting his ability if he can recapture his flowing brilliance with the bat.
With the ball, Rory Kelinveldt has eight wickets so far and an economy rate of 6.47, while Vernon Philander joined him with some brilliant death bowling in the win against Knights. He has four wickets so far and an economy rate of 6.76.
Cape Cobras have lost just once so far – a seven-wicket defeat to Titans after they were restricted to a below-par 150/6 from their 20 overs.
Since then, however, they have won both games they have played. First was the reverse fixture against Warriors, when Janneman Malan’s 103 from 57 balls led them to a seven-wicket win chasing 152. Last time out, meanwhile, some great death bowling from Vernon Philander and Rory Kleinveldt helped them defend 150/5 against Knights – the Knights finishing on 145/7.
Janneman Malan, Hashim Amla, David Berdingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Jason Smith, Aviwe Mgijima, George Linde, Vernon Philander, Rory Kleinveldt (c), Tladi Bokako, Nkululeko Serame
Lions have not played since beating Titans, seeing two matches fall foul of the weather since. Nono Pongolo and Migael Pretorius were brought into the team for that game – replacing Beuran Hendricks and Wihan Lubbe – and could retain their places.
Rassie van der Dussen could be a key figure in South Africa’s batting line-up for the World Cup and he was in top form in Lions’ most recent completed match – top-scoring with 85 in the win against Titans.
Both he and Reeza Hendricks had taken time to find their best form, but both were back to their big-hitting best in that game – Hendricks scored 77 and the two shared a 151-run partnership.
Previously, Ryan Rickleton had led the Lions’ batting with Van der Dussen and Hendricks short of runs. He hit half-centuries in two of the first three matches and has 142 runs in total.
On the bowling front, Bjorn Fortuin leads the way with nine wickets and some superb economical bowling too – going for just 4.57 runs per over so far. Aaron Phangiso has taken seven wickets and has an economy rate of 5.20.
Lions lost their first match – finishing five runs short of Cape Cobras’ 169/8 despite Ryan Rickleton’s 43-ball 69 – but they have won all three completed matches since.
An 18-run win against Dolphins, in which Bjorn Fortuin took 2-14 for the second consecutive game, followed, before Rickleton’s 51 and Fortuin’s 3-10 helped them post 150/7 and beat Knights by 40 runs.
Since then, however, three of their four matches have been rained off. In their one completed game, Rassie van der Dussen (85) and Reeza Hendricks (77) were in superb batting form against Titans. They led Lions to 181/4 and an eventual 19-run win.
Ryan Rickleton, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Dwaine Pretoruis, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma, Nono Pongolo, Bjorn Fortuin, Magael Pretorius, Aaron Phangiso, Malusi Siboto
Though Cape Cobras have won their last two matches against Lions, including their five-run win at Johannesburg earlier this season, the Lions still edge the head-to-head record with 12 wins to the Cobras’ ten. There has also been one tie.
In this season’s previous game, the Cobras posted 169/8, boosted by some late hitting from Vernon Philander (31 from 17 balls). Dane Paterson and Rory Kleinveldt then claimed three wickets apiece and Lions lost four wickets for two runs at the death to finish short on 164/8.
Matches Played | Cape Cobras Won | Lions Won | Tie | No Result |
23 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
Cape Cobras are narrow favourites to beat Lions at 1.83 with Betway, whereas Lions are priced at 1.90 to win.
Bet365 are offering 1.80 on a Cape Cobras win, while Lions are priced at 2.00 to beat the league leaders.
Cape Cobras got back to winning ways last time out to stay top of the table, while Lions faltered. The Cobras can win again to cement their top spot.
Bet online on Top Cricket Betting Sites and apps. Get Best Betting Sign-Up Offers and Exclusive Bonuses with Promo Codes. Deposit now with popular payment methods to bet online.
The most trusted gambling site of the US offers a gamut of cricket betting markets and features. Place your bets now and make huge winnings with the sportsbook.
A host to a store house of online betting features, BetOnline is here to stay for long. Turn your cricket betting cycle towards the best road map with the sportsbook.
Bet on Cricket with Everygame, one of the top USA bookmaker. Join Now and get Up to $750 Sign Up Bonus
SportsBetting.ag betting site is fully equipped with large betting markets, live betting, live streaming features along with a bunch of hefty bonuses and offers. Try SportsBetting.ag website for a unique all-rounder cricket betting fun at one place.
Leave Your Comment
We do our best to give you most accurate & useful match predictions and would love to hear from you. Let us know if we need to improve. Share your own predictions for the matches. Let's talk: