Dolphins vs Knights, CSAP_ODD, Today Match Prediction

DOL vs KNG Match Prediction & Analysis

Dolphins will take on Knights in the 22nd match of CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division One 2025 at Kingsmead, Durban on 5th March at 4:30 PM. This is South Africa's premier List A cricket competition. It is played between eight domestic teams in round-robin format with the top two teams playing a final to determine the champion. The final of this season will happen on March 16, 2025.

Knights and Dolphins have played five matches each so far in this season. Knights have three wins with one no result whereas Dolphins have two wins with one no result. The Knights are in second place while the Dolphins are in the fifth. Can the Knights get yet another win to move up the points table against the Dolphins?

TEAMS PREVIEW

Dolphins Preview

Dolphins started the season badly, losing their first two games by huge margins. Currently, they have two wins in five games, with one no result. With 11 points so far, Dolphins are currently at the 5th place in the points table with a net run rate of +0.187.

Dolphins started the season with a loss against Warriors by 126 runs. Bowling first, Dolphins conceded a huge total of 343 for 2 in 50 overs. Chasing a huge total, Dolphins struggled from the get-go and eventually were bowled out for 217 in the 41st over. Opener JJ Smuts was the top scorer with 58 runs in 46 balls with 6 4s and 3 6s. Dolphins suffered yet another defeat against Boland in their second game by six wickets with 11 overs to spare. In this game, Dolphins batted first to a low total of 174 all-out in the 50th over. JJ Smuts and Bryce Parsons were the top scorers, scoring 43 and 50 runs respectively. Dolphins could only delay the inevitable as Boland got over the line in the 39th over with six overs to spare.

The Dolphins should consider themselves unlucky as the third game against the Titans was abandoned due to rain after Dolphins ed a good total of 305 batting first. JJ Smuts top-scored yet again with 71 runs of 61 balls and was well ed by Jason Smith scoring 50 runs and Ethan Bosch scoring 47 runs. Even though the match was abandoned, the confidence Dolphins got from this game against the Titans helped them win the next two games against Lions and Western Provinces. 

Against the Lions, Dolphins chased down a low total of 184 in the 40th over, winning the match by six wickets. Prenelan Subrayen took four wickets for 46 runs as Bryce Parsons top-scored in the chase with 81 runs to help Dolphins get their first win of the season in the fourth game. In the previous game, Dolphins defeated Western Province by a huge margin of 194 runs. Dolphins have performed well in the last three games. Can they continue and get a win against the Knights in their sixth game?

Key players: JJ Smuts, Bryce Parsons, Prenelan Subrayen, Eathan Bosch

Dolphins Predicted Playing XI:

Tshepang Dithole, JJ Smuts, Bryce Parsons, Jason Smith, Khaya Zondo, Hanu Viljoen (wk), Eathan Bosch, Andile Simelane, Prenelan Subrayen (c), Tristan Luus, Ottneil Baartman

Knights Preview

Knights have had a great season so far, and a win here might put them at the top of the table above Bolan. Knights have played 5 matches, winning 3 of them with 1 no result. They have 16 points so far in the tournament and are placed second in the points table with a better net run rate (+1.313) than the table topper Boland. In fact, they have the best net run rate among the all teams this season so far.

Just like Dolphins, Knights started the season with a loss against Northwest. Batting first, Knights scored 257 thanks to Jack Snyman's 85 at the top of the order. However, they could not defend the low score and were defeated by 4 wickets. The second game proved to be an unlucky one for the Knights as the game was washed out after they had the opposition 7-for-1 after 5 overs defending a total of 248. Dian Forrester scored an unbeaten century in that game, scoring 123 runs.

In the next 3 games however,, Knights ed three consecutive victories against Western Province, Boland, and Lions, securing their position in the second place in the points table. Defending a big total of 311, Knights caught Western Province all out for just 154 runs in the 35th over, winning the match by 157 runs. Dian Forrester scored a century in that game, followed by Tiaan Van Vuuren's three-wicket haul for just 16 runs. In the fourth game, Knights defended a low score of 249 against the table-topper Boland, winning the match by 21 runs. Tiaan Van Vuuren was yet again the top bowler, taking four wickets for just 39 runs, helping Knights win in a low-scoring game.

Previous game, Knights were up against the Lions. Knights batted first and put on a good score of 292 in a range-shortened game that was reduced to 39 overs aside. Opener Jacques Snyman played a big innings of 160 runs in just 118 balls with 12 fours and 8 sixes. Defending a huge total, Knights restricted Lions for just 220 in 39 overs, winning the game by 74 runs (D/L method). Matthew Pollard took 3 wickets for 56 followed by Tian Van Vuren, and Dane Piedt taking 2 wickets each. Looking at the performances in the last four games and three consecutive wins for the Knights, they look set for yet another win against Dolphins.

Key players: Dian Forrester, Tiaan van Vuuren, Matthew Pollard, Dane Piedt

Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Gerrie Snyman, Lesego Senokwane, Dominic Hendricks (wk), Patrick Botha, Seth Fledermaus, Dane Piedt (c), Dian Forrester, Tiaan van Vuuren, Matthew Pollard, Aaron Phangiso, Malusi Siboto

Weather Conditions

The weather on the match day at Kingsmead, Durban. is expected to be mostly sunny with high humidity. The temperature will range between a high of 30°C and a low of 25°C. There is slight chance of rain on the match day.

DOL vs KNG Pitch Report

The venue of the match is Kingsmead, Durban. It is one of South Africa’s most iconic cricket grounds. It was established in 1923. The first international match played here was in 1929 between England and South Africa. Since then, it has hosted many Tests, ODIs, and T20 matches. This includes games from the 2003 ODI World Cup and the first T20 World Cup in 2007. The stadium can accommodate about 25,000 fans.

Toss: To Bat

Kingsmead in Durban seems to be one of those venues where batting first is a preferable option. Out of a total of 40 ODIs played here, 22 have been won by the teams batting first, while 18 have been won by the teams batting second. The team winning the toss should bat first here.