Stars vs Rocks, Eliminator at Johannesburg, MSL 2018, Dec 14 2018 - Ball by Ball Commentary
8.35pm Play abandoned! Jozi Stars qualify into the Mzansi Super League final due to incessant rain. Third-placed Paarl Rocks' season ends right here, hopefully next year will be theirs.
That's all from us at ESPNcricinfo for tonight. See you on Sunday for the final between Jozi Stars and Cape Town Blitz. Here's hoping the weather is kinder then. Till then, it's goodbye.
Zahi : "Is there a reserve day for the final?" -- Yes, there is
8.15pm Emad: "If rain doesn't stop, JS will qualify??? " -- Yes.
"I am not so sure nowadays that one can automatically assume Asians are good at playing international level spin bowlers. " - Fair comment, Stephen. SA spinners have always succeeded against domestic cricketers, though, but the country hasn't produced an excellent spinner (except Maharaj) for a while now.
8.11pm Vaughan: "Although I've never liked him, Shamsi has been the star for me. He has become such a confident bowler with solid control. Batsman never could get after him and his strike rate is top." -- Fair enough, but I wonder if it's because he's bowling to SA based batsmen? Wonder how much success he would get against Asian batsmen.
folad Shinwari: "will we have match today or not i need to sleep if it does not" -- Brother, wish I could have an answer for you. But I do know that the rain has gotten heavier
7.52pm We hear that cricket must begin by 9.06pm, otherwise Jozi Stars qualify automatically into the final. While we wait, here's something to kicstart a discussion: who have been your standout uncapped players from the first MSL season?
K17: "@sreshthx:Cloete "
Dylan: "Standout player- Jan Malan from the CT Blitz. Surely on course for a cap " -- oh, I love his full name actually. It kinda means "darling" in some Indian languages
Faizan M Sirwal: "In bowling , Anrich Nortje from CBT seems to be a sensational pacer. Unfortunately, he didn't feature regularly for CBT. Also likes of Sipamla and Mungroo are good as well. In batting, Rickelton and Janneman Malan are standouts"
7.40pm No news yet, sadly. False alarm that the rain had stopped, but sadly that's not the case. We've started to lose overs already by the way, and the game must end by 10.10 pm local. The covers are still on. And it's lightning!
#MSLT20 pic.twitter.com/UV1t9UJvx0
— Stonedwashed (@stonedwashed) December 14, 2018
7pm Play should've started by now, but alas. Still drizzling.
nicholas wade: "What happens if the game cannot be completed today?" -- Jozi Stars will qualify into the final, because they finished higher on the points table.
6.52pm Here are the teams.
Paarl: Dwayne Bravo, Henry Davids, Cameron Delport, du Plessis, Markram, Mosehle, Kerwin Mungroo, Dane Paterson, Shamzi, Grant Thompson, Wiese
Jozi: Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, van der Dussen, Vilas, Pite van Biljon, Daniel Christian, Harmer, Pongolo, Rabada, Beuran Hendricks, Duanne Olivier
yasin: "no extended rain time for semi final?" -- There may be an extension today, but there's definitely no reserve day.
Yoel: "I guess Faf knew the weather will probably not permit a full game. Better to chase a total in this case"
6.40pm Ac: "Uhm! Will we even get in a game? Thick dark clouds hovering above with crackling sounds of thunderstorm in the background!" -- Looks like your prediction came true. It's raining at the ground!
6.30pm Toss: Paarl Rocks opt to field. Hmm, interesting choice. I thought they'd like to post a total in a knockout contest.
Ac: "@sreshth the M is pronounced as mmm, mmmzansi!"
wcpak: "@Sreshth: A non cricket question, how do you pronounce Mzansi? Is the Z silent?" -- More like the M is silent, but not silent all the way.
6.10pm The Jozi Stars could've easily been in the final, but it's a difference of one single point that's forced them to finish second in the league stage. They face third-placed Paarl Rocks tonight, for a chance to meet Cape Town Blitz in Sunday's final. Will we see some fireworks? I certainly hope so. My name is Sreshth Shah, and welcome to the eliminator of the Mzansi Super League.
