MTD Last Five Matches: ON ECS DEBUT
OVR Last Five Matches: L W W W W (Avg Score For 104, Avg Score Against 91)
Captain: Sam Aquilina
Wicketkeeper: Sam Aquilina
Projected Top Four: Cornelius Younus, Azeem Sathi, Michael Nazir, Sam Aquilina
Projected Opening Bowlers: Lazar Sharooon, Faisal Naeem
Spin Options: Michael Nazir, Atif Sharazy
MATER DEI Key Players:
Michael Nazir, former national team player, decent batsman who times the ball very well. A crafty off-spinner who can deceive batsmen with his change in pace.
Sam Aquilina, captain, middle order batsman,can help stabilise or increase the run rate when required.
Cornelius Younus, left-handed opening batsman who likes to go after the bowlers from ball one. Expect quick runs if he gets going.
Shrijay Patel, new addition to the MTD side, has impressed with his intelligent batting and is a very good fielder. Handy seam bowler who usually bowls stump to stump.
Captain: Jurg Hirschi
Wicketkeeper: Sean Byrne
Projected Top Four: Charl Kleinepunte, Andy Naudi, Callum Burke, Sean Byrne
Projected Opening Bowlers: David Marks, Aaron Oulton
Spin Options: Jurg Hirschi, Callum Burke, Andrew Naudi, Jack Barritt
OVERSEAS Key Players:
Jurg Hirschi, right-arm leg-spinner, unorthodox but highly effective, was joint leading wicket taker in December 2020 with 10 scalps.
Andy Naudi, top run scorer for Overseas amassing 224 runs in nine knocks last year, hit the most fours in the tournament - 24. Also chipped in with eight wickets.
Callum Burke, played first division cricket in the Netherlands, left-handed top order batsman, ready to fire on all cylinders, the one to look out for this series.
Charl Kleinepunte, left-hand opening batsman, has the ability to bat through the innings. Also left-arm medium pacer who can swing it and extracts plenty of bounce off the pitch.
In the opening double header of Day 2, Overseas oppose debutants Mater Dei. After a horrible start with six straight losses, Overseas won their last four to just miss out on qualification for the knockout stages. As the only team with previous ECS experience in Group B, OVR will be aiming to keep up their winning run. However, Mater Dei have been on the scene for the last four years and should not be taken lightly. MTD possess some exciting players and can upset any team on their day.
Match Prediction: Mater Dei to seal their maiden ECS victory.