The Mzansi Super League has its first dead rubber match, but that’s not going to stop the Blitz from trying to increase their lead at the top of the table, or the Heat attempting to walk away with a consolation win.

Cape Town Blitz

The Blitz bowlers will know they were not at their best against the Rocks on Friday, when it took a bit of a collapse from the visitors to really keep the hosts in the contest. That said, Dale Steyn remains on fire, but the absence of the injured Anrich Nortje is evidently felt.

The experiment of batting Andile Phehlukwayo seems to be a thing of the past for now, but circumstance or scenario might call for it again at Newlands on Sunday. What is for sure though, is that the Blitz don’t want to be caught a bowler light again, like they were earlier in the tournament. That probably spells the end of Kyle Verreynne’s stint, keeping Dane Piedt and Ferisco Adams in the frame.

Durban Heat

Already down and out before Friday’s defeat to the Stars, it is going to take a lot for the Heat to lift themselves out of the doldrums. Beating the log leaders might be a case of ‘too little, too late’, but no team has ever really objected to that consolation. They went without Hashim Amla and Heinrich Klaasen on Friday, showing that the batting depth is there, but continues to under-deliver.

One, if not both, should be back for this match. It’s time Khaya Zondo takes a break, maybe. Rashid Khan is a huge boost for the Durban attack. He has dominated during his brief period in South Africa, and more importantly, can hopefully speak of the popularity of this league when he travels around the world.

Prediction

The Blitz will stretch their lead over the Stars and the Giants, while the Heat will remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the standings, unable to reach even double figures in the points.

Photo: Gallo