Warriors have edge in five-horse race
The timing of the finale of the Sunfoil Series – the premier domestic franchise competition – leaves a lot to be desired, but there is no doubting the hunger and tension amongst the five sides that still have a chance of claiming the title as the four-day competition comes to a thrilling conclusion this weekend.
Having played the first half of the tournament in five successive weeks in September and October, the teams had an unnecessary bye after just two more rounds of action in February.
Without that break, the Sunfoil Series could have finished last weekend, in between the second and third Tests between South Africa and Australia, and enjoyed all the attention its nailbiting finish deserves.
The Warriors have been the form side in the second half of the competition, recording two wins (nobody else has won more than once this season) to go top of the log and they will be looking for a big finish in Durban as they take on the Dolphins.
Providing the weather plays along, Simon Harmer will fancy his chances of continuing his amazing run on the spin-friendly Kingsmead pitch, while Colin Ackermann, the Warriors’ best batsman with three centuries this season, returns just in time from getting married to try and provide the final push for the gutsy Eastern Cape side.
The Dolphins are fifth on the log, nearly 14 points behind the Warriors, so a lot will have to fall into place for them to win the title, but coach Grant Morgan says they have not given up hope.
“We want to go for the unlikely and I am quite happy for us to finish fourth or fifth having had a go at trying to win the competition,” Morgan said.
While the impressive success of the under-rated Warriors could provide the fairy tale ending, there will obviously be plenty of interest in the goings-on at Centurion, where the Titans, 6.46 points behind the Warriors, host the Knights (3.72 behind), the holders of the four-day crown.
They grabbed the title by the slimmest of margins from the Titans last season, so the home side will be hoping the availability of Proteas stars Heinrich Klaasen and Chris Morris brings the sort of matchwinning performances their talents promise.
The continued absence of Dale Steyn means, however, that the Knights, with Duanne Olivier and Marchant de Lange both available, will have the more potent of the two attacks.
Although there seems to be an unstoppable wind of change blowing through Highveld Lions cricket, they will want to finish a troubled season on a high by spoiling the title hopes of the Cape Cobras in Potchefstroom.
The Cobras, who have picked up steam in the latter part of the season, are just 1.02 points behind the Warriors, and will be hoping their attack can muster the firepower to blow the Lions’ often shaky batting line-up away on the normally placid Potchefstroom pitch.