Titans chase early trophy

The Titans have the opportunity to pick up an early trophy this summer as they compete in the Abu Dhabi T20 tournament that gets underway today, although the South African champions only get up and running tomorrow when they take on the Boost Defenders from Afghanistan in their opening game.

The Defenders have managed to pick up the services of T20 great Chris Gayle, the West Indian whose whole modus operandi is attack, defending having very little to do with it.

Saturday will be a tough day for the Titans as they play the Auckland Aces at 3pm and then, if they have topped their group, the final starting shortly afterwards at 8pm.

“There seem to be a lot of noname-brands playing, but our opposition probably think the same when they look at us. It’s very much an in-and-out trip, so we’ve got to make sure we rock up from the first ball and get ourselves into a position from which we can make the final,” Titans coach Mark Boucher told The Citizen.

“Playing cricket in a different city and culture, it’s just a change of scenery we’re really looking forward to. And maybe we can get a win, which will be a nice bonus for the guys at the beginning of the season. It will also be exposure for our youngsters, we’ll be able to look at them in difficult conditions, especially with it being so hot,” he added.