Lions need to roar if they want that elusive semi spot

THE HIGHVELD Lions and the Dolphins meet in their final Momentum One-day Cup fixture of the round-robin stage, and they have contrasting ambitions ahead of the match in Potchefstroom today.

The home side, captained by Temba Bavuma, are trying to get into the semi-finals through the back door. They have struggled for much of the 50-over competition, with bad weather in Gauteng washing away three fixtures, coupled with some early losses on the road.

One of those was the first game of the campaign, against the Dolphins in Maritzburg. The Dolphins got the better of a game that raised 665 runs, winning by 19 runs. Since then, the Durbanites have also had their dip, before again finding the right note in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

Their bonus-point victory over the Warriors secured a semi-final spot, but a win in Potchefstroom will almost certainly give them home advantage in one of those semifinals. As long as the Cobras don’t get a bonus point victory, and the Dolphins win, one of the semi-finals will be at Kingsmead.

But, the Lions have more pressing issues. Camped at the base of the table for most of their run-in, their thrilling victory over the table-topping Titans on Human Rights Day revived their hopes in the competition. They will have to defeat the Dolphins with a bonus point, and then see where that leaves them.

They still need the Warriors and the Knights to lose. It is a lot of cards that need to fall accordingly, but two victories up to this point have left the Lions in this position.

But, that is nothing new for the Lions this season. Their franchise, the Jozi Stars, won the Mzansi Super League by taking the long road. They started slowly, then built a head of steam that was unstoppable.

In the four-day competition, they also lagged behind in the early stages. But, incredibly, they snatched the title in the final moments of the competition, to pip the Cobras to the post. It seems that they play some of their best cricket when their backs are against the wall.

That is the position that they find themselves in now, with anything less than a win confirming the end of their 50-over ambitions. Crucially, they seem to have enough players who have turned a corner with their form.

It is a final roll of the dice for the Lions, and they will do so at a venue that is renowned for big scores and terrific batting tracks. The toss may be quite crucial for both parties, as batting second will clarify what they need to chase down in 40 overs. Logic tends to dictate that chasing a bonus point with the bat is easier than trying to contain one with ball in hand.

It promises to be an interesting Saturday morning in Potchefstroom.