Warriors must go for broke
Cape franchise. But they are not the only team to have suffered under the Titans’ rule. The Titans are unbeaten in six matches so far, with three of the four wins coming with bonus points.
The only way teams have been able to take points off them has been through abandoned matches because of rain – and there have been two of those. The Proteas-laden Titans seem unstoppable once they get on the park, but the Warriors will perhaps be taking comfort in the fact that 20- over cricket can be a lottery at times. The Warriors are coming increasingly under pressure to win now after only managing one win after six matches.
The thing they have going for them is that the Titans head the table – and then there is daylight between the Titans and the chasing pack, who are all positioned quite close to each other on the table in terms of points.
One would think they would need to win at least three of their remaining four matches to get into the semifinals. A victory over the Titans tonight would be an unexpected bonus for the Warriors.
A loss however, would probably mean winning their final three round-robin matches, which will be a tough ask.
After Benoni tonight, both teams head to Port Elizabeth for “Doubleheader Sunday in the Bay”.
Four teams, two matches and a whole host of Proteas on display in one day will be a rare treat for cricket fans at St George’s Park.
Spectators will also have double the chance to win a share of the “Catch R2-million” competition.
The opening game will see the likes of David Miller and AB de Villiers fighting it out with bat in hand, when the Knights face the Titans at noon, while the Warriors will square up to the Dolphins starting at 4pm.
Tickets for Sunday are on sale at the stadium (R70 adults, R50 students with student cards and R40 for scholars and pensioners) or online at www.ticketpro.co.za.
The ticket office at St George’s Park will be open on Saturday from 8am until 3pm. The squads are:
Warriors: Colin Ackermann, Andrew Birch, Gihahn Cloete, Colin Ingram, Christiaan Jonker, Sisanda Magala, Lesiba Ngoepe, Anrich Nortje, Jerry Nqolo, Solo Nqweni, Jon-Jon Smuts (c), Kelly Smuts, Yaseen Vallie, Basheer Walters.
Titans: Albie Morkel (c), Farhaan Behardien, Junior Dala, Henry Davids, AB de Villiers, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Malusi Siboto, Shaun von Berg, David Wiese Remaining Warriors fixtures: Tonight: Titans v Warriors (Benoni)
Sunday: 4pm, Warriors v Dolphins (PE)
December 8: 6pm, Lions v Warriors (Potch)
December 10: 2.30pm, Warriors v Cobras (EL)