Final - Cape Town Blitz vs Jozi Stars - Fantasy Preview

We’re all set for the final match of the inaugural Mzansi Super League in South Africa. For sure, we’ve had two of the best teams of the competition that have made it to the final and tonight, it’s going to be Cape Town Blitz vs Jozi Stars in the MSL 2018 final, with the former getting the home advantage.

The fantasy sports industry is booming and there will be thousands around the world making their teams for today’s inaugural MSL T20 final, and Read Scoops is here to help you with the same. As for the Blitz, some picks are imminent while the Jozi Stars have a very balanced squad with plenty of performers through the season.

The biggest change for the Stars is Chris Gayle not being in the squad for the final, and he is most likely to be replaced by Ryan Rickleton. Now for all those who have been firm Gayle pickers in their fantasy sides, this is a good chance to pick up his replacement at a much cheaper cost, while this may actually be a boost for the Stars as Gayle’s last 3 scores for Stars were 6, 5 and 9.

Wicket keeper:

Without a doubt, you’re going to have to pick up Quinton de Kock (CTB), which may be on the expensive side but he has been brilliant so far, having scored 407 runs and being way ahead of everyone else when it comes to run scoring for Blitz. 6, 74, 31, 108, 9, 93 and 86* have been his scores this season and he becomes a no-brainer to choose over Dane Vilas (JS), who hasn’t got a 30+ score this season.

Batsmen:

The Stars batting order has been brilliant, with the likes of Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks in it. Dussen has been the leading run scorer of the tournament so far while Hendricks has scored two centuries, while Dan Christian is also a worthy pick, scoring at a strike rate of nearly 200. However, his chances have been few, with the upper order always performing, and in T20 fantasy cricket, you should always opt for the batsmen batting higher.

As for Blitz, it’s an under-performing middle order. Apart from de Kock at the top, we’re looking at Janneman and Dawid Malan, who haven’t been at their best while Asif Ali could be a good option. Captain Farhaan Behardien would’ve been an obvious pick because of all his international experience, but batting all the way down at 6 would discourage me from picking him.

All-Rounders:

Since we’re deciding to drop a few Blitz batsmen, we’re going to pick both all-rounder spots from their squad. Andile Phehlukwayo and Mohammad Nawaz. Nawaz has been regularly among the wickets while he has been known to play a few good cameos with the bat as well. As for Phehlukwayo, he’s got international experience and apart from the chance of picking wickets, he has been bumped up the order in this season as well.

Bowlers:

The injury-prone Dale Steyn shows that he can be less to none even now. He clearly hasn’t lost any of his zing, having picked up 11 wickets this season at an economy rate of just 6.67 runs per over. From Stars, Nono Pongolo becomes an obvious pick after his recent figures of 6/20, while Duanne Olivier is the tournament’s highest wicket taker.

CTB vs JS Fantasy Team:

Quinton de Kock (CTB), Janneman Malan (CTB), Asif Ali (CTB), Reeza Hendricks (JS), Rassie van der Dussen (JS), Andile Phehlukwayo (CTB), Mohammad Nawaz (CTB), Dan Christian (JS), Dale Steyn (CTB), Duanne Olivier (JS), Nono Pongolo (JS).

Overall, I’m going for a Jozi Stars victory, as they have quite a few more consistent players as compared to the Blitz, who have relied on individual brilliance. However, they played each twice this season and the teams won one each. Also, it’s a final and the nerves are what matter more than anything. We’re in for a good game of cricket!

“Playing in a home final is a pressure we like and having the final at Newlands, in front of the Blitz Brigade is unbelievable. This is where the tournament started and for it to end here is really exciting for everyone.” – Cape Town Blitz all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo said about the upcoming final.

Keep reading ReadScoops.com for similar updates on cricket from around the world.