After a fight with the weather and plenty of other logistical nightmares we are down to the final of the Mzansi Super League where we will have a new name on the trophy as the Paarl Rocks host the Tshwane Spartans at Boland Park.
The Paarl Rocks shot straight through to this final courtesy of topping the regular season table while the Tshwane Spartans have already won one match on the road and will be looking to do the same thing here.
Paarl Rocks
The Paarl Rocks were the best team in the competition in the regular campaign, but there could be a concern for them that of their three losses two of them came against the Tshwane Spartans. It remains to be seen whether they are one of the teams who loses to the same on three times in a season. That is a rare fate suffered by teams, but in truth the losses were so big that they could be forgiven for having a few worries heading into the match.
It has been more than a week since the Rocks last played so they will have had ample time to get any bumps and bruises dealt with, so we should see them at their strongest here. If that means they put in their best performance of the campaign then that is all anyone can ask for. In order to get that, they need to find some form with the ball. Their batting looks right on it but they have shipped some big totals with the ball.
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Tshwane Spartans
It can never be a disadvantage to have played knockout cricket and won ahead of a final so the Tshwane Spartans have that on their side going into this match. They also have the knowledge of having beaten their opponents twice this season to use as confidence to give of their best and come out on top in this final. If there is a down side it is that they haven’t ever really strung consistent results together and were indebted to the rain just to make it past the regular season.
We saw some batting depth from the Tshwane Spartans in the qualifier on Friday and that could be crucial in this final, especially if Paarl happen to put up a big score. The Spartans have been rocked by the news that Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the final so they are going to have to get the job done without a strike bowler. That might mean they need to deliver the goods even more with the bat, but they look to have the personnel to do just that.
Betting
I’m already on the Paarl Rocks for this final, as are anyone else who followed us in from our outright preview before the tournament began. I have to admit I’m a little wary about the Tshwane Spartans in light of what has gone before this season, but in my eyes the Paarl Rocks were the best team heading into the campaign, proved that in the regular season and hopefully they will confirm it in this final.
I’m happy enough to let that ride but I will go with one match in this final, and it comes in the form of a player performance which belongs to Roelof van der Merwe. The Somerset man has come to the party more and more as this competition has gone along and I see no reason why he can’t go past 29 performance points here. He took 3/15 the last time these two clubs met and he has also contributed in other matches with the bat this season. He’ll bowl some key overs and with Paarl loaded with right handers he’ll be pretty crucial. All three scoring methods are in play here and when they are totalled up it should go beyond 28.5pts.
Tips
Back R.van der Merwe’s Performance – Over 28.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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