MSL 2019 Final, Paarl Rocks vs Tshwane Spartans at Paarl: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

David Wiese (31* in 23, 4-0-30-3) helped Tshwane Spartans beat Nelson Mandela Bay Rocks by 22 runs in the Eliminator at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth. They will now face Paarl Rocks, who had topped the league stage, in the final at Boland Park, Paarl.

Thanks to rain, only 5 out of the Spartans’ 10 league matches to produce a result. The Spartans won 3 (the first 3) of these and lost 2 before picking up their fourth win in the Eliminator.

AB de Villiers, Heinrich Klaasen and the uncapped Pete van Biljon have been the main batsmen for the Spartans this time, while Morne Morkel, Lungi Ngidi, Tom Curran, and Roelof van der Merwe have been consistent with ball. And now, after an indifferent tournament, Wiese impressed with his all-round skills in a crunch match.

The Rocks, on the other hand, have won 6 of their 9 completed league matches, and went directly to the final on a slightly superior net run rate. Faf du Plessis’s experience has been complemented superbly by the uninhibited hitting of Cameron Delport, while Kyle Varreyne has emerged as an asset in his two matches.

The bowling has been led by Tabraiz Shamsi and Bjorn Fortuin, both of them have picked up wickets as well as prevented the batsmen from scoring quick runs. Isuru Udana’s all-round skills provided much-needed balance to the side, while Ferisco Adams has been an interesting discovery.

The Rocks should ideally have been favourites in the final. However, one must remember that 2 of their 3 defeats so far have come in their 2 matches against the Spartans.

Key players

Tabraiz Shamsi (Paarl Rocks): His magician celebrations notwithstanding, Shamsi has picked up 14 wickets (and conceded 7.08 an over) in this edition of the MSL when none of his teammates got more than 8. Shamsi will be key to the Rocks’ performance in the final.

Morne Morkel (Tshwane Spartans): Morkel has picked up 12 wickets, but more importantly, he has conceded under 6 an over, which makes him one of the two most outstanding bowlers of the tournament (the other being Imran Tahir of the Bay Giants).

Likely XIs

Paarl Rocks: Henry Davids, Cameron Delport, Faf du Plessis (c), James Vince, Kyle Varreyne (wk), Sibonelo Makhanya, Isuru Udana, Ferisco Adams, Bjorn Fortuin, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kerwin Mungroo.

Tshwane Spartans: Dean Elgar, Tony de Zorzi, AB de Villiers, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Pite van Biljon, David Wiese, Roelof van der Merwe, Corbin Bosch, Morne Morkel, Imran Manack, Lutho Sipamla.