The Titans will have to start getting used to life without paceman Morne Morkel when the defence of their Supersport Series title resumes against the Diamond Eagles in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
Morkel’s call-up to the South African one-day squad robs the Titans of some handy firepower with the new ball and their bowling resources will be tested as they attempt to regain the lead on the log.
The tall Morkel has shown good form in domestic cricket this season, and, along with teammate Paul Harris and the Dolphins’ Johann Louw, is the leading wicket-taker in the four-day competition with 18 wickets.
Fortunately for Northerns, Harris is still there and legspinner Imran Tahir may get a chance to show his credentials this weekend, while the responsibility at the start of the innings will fall on Ethy Mhbalati, Basheer Walters and David Wiese to keep the Diamond Eagles in check.
The home side have been regular contenders for the country’s domestic titles, but they trail the Titans by 15 points and will be looking to make up the leeway this weekend.
Boeta Dippenaar leads a side strong in batting, as they showed in East London against the Warriors last weekend, but their bowlers may be under some pressure after failing to defending a lead of 350 in 60 overs in the fourth innings.
Coach Sarel Cilliers will be looking for greater penetration from his attack otherwise they could face a hard slog against a dangerous-looking Titans batting line-up.
The Warriors will be buoyed by their win over the Diamond Eagles, but that has been tempered by the loss of skipper Davy Jacobs with a thumb injury for the clash in Paarl against the Cape Cobras.
Michael Smith, who has captained the EP Amateur team, steps into the leadership role and will be looking for support from senior players like Ashwell Prince, Arno Jacobs and Makhaya Ntini.
Prince’s form last weekend — he made 68 and 137 — makes him a key player for the Warriors, while Ntini will be looking to draw the Cobras’ sting after they delivered an impressive batting performance against the Dolphins in Durban.
Unfortunately for the Cobras, two days lost to rain in that game means they have yet to record a win in four matches and they’ll be looking to put that right in Paarl.
Taking 20 wickets at this venue, however, has never been the easiest of tasks and the bowling on both sides will need to be at its determined best to succeed over the next few days.
In Johannesburg, the Highveld Lions and the Dolphins will also be searching for their first Supersport Series wins of the season and they are in danger of dropping out of the race if something doesn’t happen this weekend.
The Dolphins have made two changes to their squad with the in-form Quinton Friend, who missed the last game, returning to the side and Mthokozisi Shezi, who was a last-minute replacement for Yusuf Abdulla, retaining his place. Friend has been in fine form this season with 15 wickets from three matches.
”Friend comes in for Andrew Hall who has pulled a hamstring. Yusuf Abdulla is still suffering from a groin injury, therefore Mthokozisi Shezi retains his place,” said Jay Naidoo, KZN Cricket Union manager of playing affairs. — Sapa