Morkel out, but Titans are eyeing a double
FRESHLY-crowned 50-over champions the Titans have their eye on a double as they head to Port Elizabeth to take on the equally in-form Warriors in the domestic four-day series resuming today.
The Titans have not picked up two trophies in a season since the 2011/12 campaign, but at 15.84 points behind the Lions at the summit of the Sunfoil Series table the opportunity for more silverware is there.
“There’s a very good buzz around the team, but one thing we have addressed is that it’s just one trophy – it’s not enough,” said Titans captain Henry Davids. “So the hunger is there in this team to win another one. We’re lying in second place, and if we can pick up three more wins over the next five games then we should be there or thereabouts.”
After requiring pain-killing injections to play in the one-day final last Friday, Albie Morkel will sit out the fixture against the Warriors, but Ethy Mbhalati and Rowan Richards come back into the squad with some game time under their belts after turning out for Northerns in a three-day game against Namibia last weekend.
The Warriors will be without Ayabulela Gqamane because of injury and Rusty Theron due to illness, while Davy Jacobs is still making his way back after ankle surgery. Having won six of their last seven games in all competitions – including their last three in the one-day competition – the Warriors enter the final stretch of the season upbeat. “As a group I think we’ve come through a few tests that we’re proud of,” said Warriors coach Malibongwe Maketa.
“We’re very chuffed that we’ve seen the results quickly, but there’s no doubt that we’ve worked hard for them.
“We obviously finished (the one-day tournament) on a high but we’re very aware that this is a new competition and we need to start again.”
The log-leading Lions, meanwhile, will be looking to forget their 50-over campaign – they ended second from bottom. “I think sometimes you look too far ahead and say, ‘If we win two more then we’re definitely in the play-offs’, instead of just focusing on the next game and taking care of it,” said Lions captain Stephen Cook. “We’re trying to learn from those experiences.”
Lions left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe is the only doubt for the home match against the Dolphins as he returns from an ankle problem. “There’s healthy competition for places so we can be a bit more picky in terms of selecting certain guys for certain grounds,” Cook said.
The Dolphins have no such luxury. According to coach Lance Klusener they have a number of injury concerns. “We’re struggling but we should be able to find 11 for the weekend,” said Klusener. The Dolphins currently lie fourth but are in the mix with a game in hand, although their biggest challenge would be playing six four-day games in a six-week stretch. “It is a bit of a tough ask,” said Klusener.
“We just need to keep the boys fit – that’s the challenge. There will need to be a bit of rotation involved as well.”
The Cape Cobras also travel to Kimberley to face the Knights. – Sapa