Warriors seek Dolphins scalp

EXPLOSIVE cricket arrives in East London tomorrow as the Warriors take on the Dolphins in what should be a blistering CSA T20 Challenge match at Buffalo Park.

Both teams head into the match off the back of losses, the Warriors against the Lions and the Dolphins against the Cape Cobras this past Sunday, so both teams will be aiming to bounce back with a win.

“We are very excited. We have a good record here in East London and we are looking forward to the game,” said Warriors captain Jon Jon Smuts.

“We have only lost twice so far in the competition, and both of those results were close losses, so I think we can fix the few things we did wrong on Sunday and bounce back with a good win here.”

The Warriors sit in a fantastic position, just one point behind the log-leading Titans, but with a game in hand, while the Dolphins sit fourth on the table on 15 points, eight behind the Warriors.

A win for the home side will thus put them in the pound seats to top the overall log, while the Dolphins need a win to stay in the hunt to qualify for the playoffs.

The Warriors should, however, benefit from playing their final three group stage games at home, playing against the Cobras in PE on Friday and the Titans back in East London on Sunday.

“It is really important for us to try win all our home games. When we do well at home there is a really good vibe around the team, so we want to do really well over the next three games,” said Smuts.

“The crowds in East London and PE have been extremely good over the past few seasons. They always seem to give us a lift and we have a a good record on both grounds, so we are quite confident.”

Some top performances from the players have helped the Warriors post five wins in seven games so far in the competition, with captain Smuts leading the way on the batting front as the Warriors’ top scorer and fifth on the overall runs log with 2 016 runs at an average of 36.

On the bowling front Andrew Birch is having a great season, leading the overall wicket-taking charts with 17 wickets at an average of 9.23.

They have, however, been superbly backed up by other players who have managed to put their hands up at the right moment.

“We have had a lot of players who have put in some great performances so far in the competition and I think we are in a really good place,” said Smuts.

“I believe that the guys will put their hands up again on Wednesday and put in the performance that we need.”

The match is scheduled for a 6pm start and tickets can be found at www.ticketpros.co.za at R60 for adults and R30 for scholars and pensioners.