The Highveld Lions will be pushing hard to establish their spot in the upper region of the log when they play an important double-header in the MTN domestic cricket championship this weekend.
The Titans’ victory over the Warriors in East London on Wednesday has opened up the race for the semifinals, with only the Eastern Cape team out of the running.
After damaging their chances with a turgid batting display at Buffalo Park, Zander de Bruyn’s team would have to win their remaining five matches, and pick up bonus points, to have even an outside chance of qualifying.
On the flipside, the Titans received a boost and are now only two points behind the Lions, although the Johannesburg-based side have played a match less.
Neil McKenzie’s Lions take on the Cape Cobras in Johannesburg on Friday, knowing that victory will give them a major lift ahead of their second match of the weekend, against the Titans in Centurion on Sunday.
Two victories for the Lions would push them well up the log while consigning the Titans to a desperate battle for survival.
One man who will be worth watching is Titans seamer Morne Morkel, who gave an outstanding bowling performance against the Warriors on Wednesday to turn the match in his team’s favour.
While the Warriors batsmen may be guilty of not being brave enough, one for 17 in nine overs on the trot suggests Morkel won’t be sitting on the sidelines as he did for the Titans’ first four games.
The Dolphins are also facing an important weekend with fixtures against the Warriors in Durban on Friday and the return clash with the Diamond Eagles in Kimberley on Sunday.
Ahmed Amla’s men are well-placed to deepen the misery for the Warriors, with a batting line-up of Doug Watson, Kyle Smit, Hashim Amla, Dale Benkenstein and Lance Klusener who are well equipped to test the visitors’ vulnerable attack.
They may need to be sharp because the Warriors batsmen will surely want to make up for their ordinary display in East London.
On Sunday, they will square up with the Diamond Eagles, who head the log going into the weekend. After their thrilling clash in Durban earlier this month, when the match was tied, this should be another cracking encounter. — Sapa
The weekend’s fixtures
Friday (starting at 3.45pm): Dolphins vs Warriors in Durban, Highveld Lions vs Cape Cobras in Johannesburg.
Sunday (starting at 10am): Diamond Eagles vs Dolphins in Kimberley, Titans vs Lions in Centurion.