Mzansi Super League 2019: Tournament preview, predictions, key players

Mzansi Super League 2019 – the second edition of the tournament – is all set to go underway from November 8. Jozi Stars will look to defend their title, though given how closely matched the teams are, it will be by no means an easy task. Ahead of the tournament, let us see how the teams have shaped up.

Jozi Stars (based at New Wanderers, Johannesburg)

The defending champions are probably the best-rounded squad of this edition. For starters, they boast of both last year’s leading run-scorer (Rassie van der Dussen) and highest wicket-taker (Duanne Olivier). The pair, in addition to Kagiso Rabada, Chris Gayle, Beuran Hendricks, Simon Harmer, and Dan Christian, looks genuinely formidable.

Key player – Simon Harmer: Harmer led Essex Eagles to their maiden Vitality Blast title this year. He led from the front, taking a record 7 wickets on the Finals Day. Now a Kolpak player, he has now returned home to prove his worth.

Prediction: The top two, maybe a second title.

Durban Heat (based at Kingsmead, Durban)

The Durban batting line-up – David Miller, Dane Vilas, Alex Hales, Ravi Bopara – looks formidable on paper. However, barring Kyle Abbott and perhaps Keshav Maharaj, their bowlers are an inexperienced lot.

Key player – Kyle Abbott: There is little doubt that South Africa had missed Abbott, yet another Kolpak-contracted cricketer, on their disastrous Indian tour. As spearhead of the Durban attack, Abbott will have a role to play.

Prediction: A place in the bottom three.

Cape Town Blitz (based at Newlands, Cape Town)

In Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Dawid Malan, Moeen Ali, and Samuel Badree, South the Blitz have an exceptional batch of overseas players. However, they may suffer from the lack of quality local players with the exception of Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, and an ageing Dale Steyn.

Key player – Quinton de Kock: Despite the humiliation in the Tests, de Kock had led South Africa to a drawn T20I series in India, delivering with bat and behind the stumps at the same time. It is time for him to replicate that effort here.

Prediction: A bottom three spot.

Tshwane Spartans (based at Supersport Park, Centurion)

With AB de Villiers and Heinrich Klaasen to lead the charge at the top, Roelof van der Merwe to chip in with both bat and ball, and Lungi Ngidi and Tom Curran to share new ball, the Spartans may emerge as the dark horses of the tournament.

Key player – AB de Villiers: Who else? He might have retired from international cricket, but there is still some steam left in one of cricket’s most-feared batsmen.

Prediction: A top-three spot.

Paarl Rocks (based at Boland Park, Paarl)

There was little the Rocks could do when they were knocked out on group-stage points after last year’s Eliminator. Faf du Plessis’ men will now look to bypass that stage and make it to the final directly. The batting – du Plessis, JP Duminy, James Vince, Cameron Delport – is among the most explosive, but their bowling is probably not as good, more so since David Willey was ruled out. However, Isuru Udana, his replacement, played some spectacular knocks in South Africa earlier this year.

Key player – Cameron Delport: Despite being one of the most sought-after all-rounders in franchise cricket, Delport is yet to play at international level. It is time for him to demonstrate his home crowd what the fuss has been about.

Prediction: Middle of the table; perhaps top three.

Nelson Mandela Bay Giants (based at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth)

Despite the presence of JJ Smut, Jason Roy, and Ben Dunk, the Bay Giants are not the strongest of batting outfit. They do have new-ball bowlers like Chris Morris and Junior Dala, but Imran Tahir perhaps is likely to hold the key.

Key player – Imran Tahir: Even at forty, Tahir’s abilities do not seem to diminish. The most dangerous spinner of the edition, he may emerge as the Bay Giants’ most important player as the tournament progresses.

Prediction: A place in the bottom three.