The Rocks want to bounce back from defeat to the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants and the Heat are eager to lift themselves from the bottom of the Mzansi Super League standings at Boland Park on Sunday.

Paarl Rocks

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the Rocks can’t rely on Aiden Markram and Faf du Plessis for the only big contributions each and every time; Henry Davids and others need to step up. They’ve lost Michael Klinger to injury, retaining David Wiese for the duration of the tournament. Wiese was only meant to stay for a brief period, but his retention will offer the side more on a bowling front. They’ll need it, too, against a Heat order packed with Protea power. That said, there are a host of international batsman not firing for the Durban outfit – and opportunity again knocks to keep them down.

Durban Heat

A foremost concern for the Heat is the poor form of Hashim Amla. The veteran right-hander has failed several times in a row in this tournament, but skipper Albie Morkel has backed him to come good sooner or later. Heat fans certainly want it to be the former, not the latter. The Heat are smarting, no doubt, after slipping to the foot of the table in the wake of just one victory in five attempts. There is still time to play catch-up, but that ‘come from behind’ cricket needs to result in victories – and soon.

Battle within the war

Davids versus Kyle Abbott could bring plenty of entertainment. Abbott with the new ball, inside the opening powerplay, might meet his match against a veteran Davids with effectively nothing to lose. The teams met last week, when Davids was key in a rain-affected win.

Prediction

The Rocks found some of the momentum Du Plessis has been waxing lyrical about, but then lost it to the Giants. They should find it again against a rather demoralised Heat outfit.

Where to next

The Rocks will head to Centurion to take on the Tshwane Spartans on Wednesday, while the Heat will be at home against the Giants on the same day.

More to follow…