Pretoria Capitals vs Paarl Royals, SA20, Today Match Prediction 14 January 2024

PC vs PR Match Prediction & Analysis

The runners-up of last season, Pretoria Capitals kicked off the season on a losing note. In a low-scoring game, the Paarl Royals got the better of Capitals with the ball as they successfully defended 160 runs.

James Neesham will be eager to see his team bounce back after that loss. They’ve got great variety in the bowling attack and though there is no Nortje this season, they still have most of their match-winning players from last year.

The SuperSport Park in Centurion has been a high-scoring venue for T20Is and we can expect a much better score from the team batting first in this encounter. 

The Royals have a strong top-order with power-hitting batters like Jason Roy and Jos Buttler at the top and David Miller coming in at number 4. Whereas, the Capitals feature a deep batting lineup with the likes of Colin Ingram and James Neesham in the lower-middle order.

These two are among the best overall squads in SA20. It will be a close contest between these equally-matched teams with no team having a clear upper hand.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

PC

L

PR

160/7 in 20.0 8

SA20

Paarl Royals won by 27 runs 12 Jan 2024

PC

133/7 in 20.0 6.65

PR

W

PR

160/7 in 20.0 8

SA20

Paarl Royals won by 27 runs 12 Jan 2024

PC

133/7 in 20.0 6.65

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pretoria Capitals Preview

The last time Pretoria Capitals faced Paarl Royals at this venue, they put on a massive 226-run total batting first. While the effort was led by an 80-run knock from Kusal Mendis at the top, Ingram and Neesham were crucial as finishers.

And last year too, the Capitals had lost to the Royals at the Boland Park in Paarl in what was another low-scoring game. Will the trend continue and Capitals bounce back at their home venue? 

There is no Kusal Mendis this season and it will be Phil Salt and Will Jacks opening the innings for Pretoria Capitals. Jacks was impressive with the ball in the last game returning figures of 1 for 19 from his 3 Overs.

The openers need to put on a great partnership in this game. There is Theunis de Bruyn at number 3 who’s another promising batter and will be one to watch out for.

If these 3 fail to make it big, the Capitals will have missed a trick. To reach a big total, the hosts will need a big performance from one of these 3 and a solid partnership at the top.

Experienced batters like Rilee Rossouw, Colin Ingram, and all-rounder James Neesham will follow at 4, 5, and 6. And that’s the great thing about this lineup - it has experienced players lower down the order.

That means we can rely on the Capitals for a big finish. Right-arm fast bowler Daryn Dupavillon will lead the pace attack along with Corbin Bosch and skipper James Neesham would bowl a couple of overs when looking for a breakthrough.

Pretoria Capitals Predicted Playing XI:

Philip Salt (wk), Will Jacks, Theunis de Bruyn, Rilee Rossouw, Colin Ingram, James Neesham (c), Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, Eathan Bosch, Adil Rashid, Daryn Dupavillon

Pretoria Capitals Actual Playing XI:

Theunis de Bruyn, Colin Ingram, Rilee Rossouw, Corbin Bosch, Will Jacks, James Neesham, Eathan Bosch, Daryn Dupavillon, Adil Rashid, Philip Salt, Hardus Viljoen

Paarl Royals Preview

Paarl Royals will be looking to carry the momentum as they come to Centurion to face the Capitals in the return game. Royals’ squad is one of the strongest in this tournament and features match-winning players in every department.

Andile Phehlukwayo, the experienced South African all-rounder comes in at number 7 in the batting order. He scored an unbeaten 28 off 14 balls in the last game against the Capitals in Paarl. 

Royals have also got Fabian Allen at number 6. He can make some impact on a good batting surface but isn’t a very reliable match-finisher. A lot depends on the skipper and number 4 batsman David Miller in this side.

The openers Jason Roy and Jos Buttler, two of the best T20 batters in the world will be expected to deliver an impactful performance at the top. Their failure would put Paarl Royals on the backfoot.

Though there is Wihaan Lubbe and Miller to follow in the middle order, without a special knock from either of these openers, the Royals may not reach as big a total. And especially, if they are chasing a competitive total, the opening partnership is all the more crucial.

With the ball, there are many options in this side. They’ve got many match-winners here. Tabraiz Shamsi with his spin while Lungi Ngidi and Obed McCoy with their raw pace ed by the experienced Phehlukwayo who’s good with his slower deliveries, Royals have a solid bowling attack.

Paarl Royals Predicted Playing XI:

Jos Buttler (wk), Jason Roy, Wihan Lubbe, David Miller (c), Mitchell Van Buuren, Andile Phehlukwayo, Fabian Allen, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Obed McCoy

Paarl Royals Actual Playing XI:

David Miller, Jason Roy, Wihan Lubbe, Jos Buttler, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Obed McCoy, Tabraiz Shamsi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Fabian Allen, Mitchell Van Buuren

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It is a batting-friendly wicket that also offers a little help to the bowlers. Batters have enjoyed playing here and have scored some big totals at both domestic and international levels. There will be light thunderstorms and rain on the match day in Centurion. The match is likely to be affected by rain.

PC vs PR Pitch Report

SuperSport Park in Centurion will be the venue for this match. Home to Pretoria Capitals, this venue has seen some high-scoring matches in the past. Though the average 1st innings score in domestic T20s is 160 runs, we reckon a match-winning total will be something over 180-190 runs. 

Toss: To Bowl

It is a great venue for batters and teams chasing a target have won 29 of the 48 matches played here. Both teams have some promising batters in their squad and will be confident of chasing down a total on this ground.