Talented Titans welcome Lions
I HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR ATTACK
The Titans have all the big names in their squad ahead of their RamSlam T20 Challenge derby against the Highveld Lions at Centurion tomorrow, but for coach Mark Boucher it is way more important that they have spent the last two weeks honing their skills and gelling as a unit.
Either Dean Elgar or Aiden Markram will miss out on the starting XI as Boucher squeezes Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, Farhaan Behardien, Albie Morkel, David Wiese and Tabraiz Shamsi into a team that has already secured first place in the Sunfoil Series table.
“It’s all good and well having all those names on paper and the media have been talking about the Titans finishing first and everyone else fighting for second, but we’re not getting dragged into that. The Proteas fit straight back into the team culture and we have done a lot of hard work in preparation, making sure our skills are in place. We still have to go out and play, execute our plans,” Boucher told Saturday Citizen yesterday.
The Titans have been imperious in the last two seasons of T20, losing only three of their last 22 matches, so they certainly know a winning recipe.
“Cricket keeps developing in different ways so we have to try and stay one step ahead. But if something isn’t broken, why try and fix it?” Boucher said.
While the Proteas obviously bring plenty of match-winning individual ability to the side, the Titans have also been boosted by the availability of fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Junior Dala, who have both been sidelined by back injuries this season.
“I have a lot of confidence in our bowling attack and it’s wonderful to have those two great wicket-takers back,” Boucher said.
The Lions have Kagiso Rabada spearheading a powerful attack that also includes Proteas Dwaine Pretorius, Aaron Phangiso, Wiaan Mulder, Beuran Hendricks and Hardus Viljoen, while opener Rassie van der Dussen has been the key figure in their T20 batting.
Tomorrow’s action at Centurion is a double-header with the Dolphins and Cape Cobras, two teams who have been disappointing in T20 cricket recently, clashing in the early game. The Cobras have been boosted by the availability of Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, JP Duminy, Wayne Parnell and Vernon Philander.