In the second semi-final of the CSA T20 Challenge 2022, Western Province will square off against Rocks at St.George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on February 25, 2022.
In the league phase, both Western Province and the Rocks have met each other once in the opening match of this season where the former, on the bank of a great fifty from their opener Richard Levi, defeated their opponents by 6 wickets comfortably with three more overs remaining.
Western Province were dominating the season with 5 straight wins but as they reached the business end they tried a few things that landed on the wrong court. But they have played so well earlier in the season that it was enough for them to end the league stages with 22 points from 7 games to stay firm on the second spot.
Thus far in the tournament, they have had different individual stars in each game but will try to play as a team in the knockouts by fielding the strongest eleven.
Now shifting the conversation onto the topic of Rocks who lost a close encounter against Knights in their last game. Due to this they ended at the fourth spot with 17 points and had a net run rate just low compared to that of Dolphins who are glued to their spot for playing the first semi-final.
Hardous Viljoen will have another outing after being rested in the game against the Knights. They will also have the services of the Malan brothers, Viljoen and Jonker in their kitty.
So the question is simple. Who would smart whom? Can Western Province come back after a couple of losses and reach the finals? Or Can Rocks rock against their opponents to smell the aroma of the finals for the very first time? All is a mystery until tomorrow.
Match Details - Western Province vs Rocks
Date - February 25, 2022,
Time - 06:00 PM IST
Venue - St.George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
Broadcast - Star Sports Select 2, Star Sports Select 2 HD, Disney+Hotstar
Pitch Report: The St.George’s Park pitch is used for all the matches in the tournament and will play the same as previous games. It will be a slow and turning track. Spinners will enjoy the track and will bowl the majority of the overs. The average score batting first is around the 140s. The toss-winning skipper will bowl first. But batting first in the afternoon game is not a bad option at all. The weather will be all clear for this match.
Squads
Western Province
Wayne Parnell (c), Jonathan Bird, Junaid Dawood, Tony de Zorzi, Beuran Hendricks, Gavin Kaplan, George Linde, Richard Levi, Aviwe Mgijima, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Kyle Simmonds, Daniel Smith, Yaseen Vallie, Dane Vilas (wk), Basheeru-Deen Walters.
Rocks
Pieter Malan (c), Janneman Malan, Cebo Tshiki, Clyde Fortuin, Christiaan Jonker, Ferisco Adams, Michael Copeland, Valintine Kitime, Hardus Viljoen, Shaun von Berg, Ziyaad Abrahams, Siyabonga Mahima, Achille Cloete, Hlomla Hanabe, Zakhele Qwabe, Imran Manack.
Probable Playing XI
Western Province
Richard Levi, Daniel Smith, Tony de Zorzi, Dane Vilas (wk), Yaseen Vallie, George Linde, Wayne Parnell (c), Aviwe Mgijima, Mihlali Mpongwana, Beuran Hendricks, Junaid Dawood.
Rocks
Janneman Malan, Pieter Malan (c), Clyde Fortuin (wk), Michael Copeland, Hardus Viljoen, Christiaan Jonker, Valintine Kitime, Shaun von Berg, Imran Manack, Siyabonga Mahima, Ziyaad Abrahams.
CE Fantasy XI
Pieter Malan, Richard Levi, Clyde Fortuin, Tony de Zorzi, Dane Vilas, Christiaan Jonker, Ziyaad Abrahams, Beuran Hendricks, Wayne Parnell
Captain- Janneman Malan
Vice-Captain- Junaid Dawood