There are two CSA T20 Challenge matches set to take place this Wednesday.
Things are heating up in the CSA T20 Challenge as we approach the business end of the tournament. As expected, the Titans lead the way having won all but one of their matches which was rained out.
The Warriors continue to punch above their weight in second while the Hollywoodbets Dolphins and the bizhub Highveld Lions occupy third and fourth. Wednesday will see two matches coming your way: The Dolphins will welcome the Titans to Sahara Stadium Kingsmead while the Warriors and the VKB Knights do battle in the Eastern Cape.
Wednesday 30 November
Hollywoodbets Dolphins 31/20 | Tie 35/1 | Multiply Titans 53/100
After a bit of time on the road, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins return to Sahara Stadium Kingsmead for their next two CSA T20 clashes. The first of which will be against the Multiply Titans on Wednesday.
The Pretoria franchise have swept aside all before them in the tournament this season and look as though they’ll have minimal trouble retaining the title they won last year. Farhaan Behardien has set the tournament alight with his power hitting in the middle-lower order while Heino Kuhn and Heinrich Klaasen have also offered major contributions at the top of the order.
Mark Boucher is blessed with an insane amount of talent from which to select. It’s at the point now where Jonathan Vandiar (a magnificent top order batsman) has only managed one game for the franchise this season – a superb knock of 40 (33) against the Dolphins in the first half of the season. It’s only going to get better once the South African squad arrives home from Australia, where Faf du Plessis, Morne Morkel, Dean Elgar, Tabriaz Shamsi and Quinton de Kock could all be available for selection.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins will be pleased to welcome Kevin Pietersen back into the fold after a couple of pretty ordinary batting displays. The KZN franchise have been far too reliant on the Morne van Wyk and Cameron Delport at the top of the order.
Cody Chetty is enjoying a solid campaign with the bat while Robbie Frylinck’s heroics in the game against the Lions might see him promoted up the order. The rest of the Dolphins’ batting unit will be fighting for their places in the side. Kyle Nipper, Khaya Zondo and Vaughn van Jaarsveld all average fewer than 10 this season and strike below 89 – much more is required.
Even with Kevin Pietersen coming back into the Dolphins’ side, I’m not sure they can stop the Titans at the minute. Back the Pretoria side to come good at 53/100.
Warriors 82/100 | Tie 35/1 | VKB Knights 1/1
In many ways, the Warriors have been the surprise package of the season. Many pundits across the country expected them to struggle a bit this season. JJ Smuts, Colin Ackermann and Andrew Birch have all been in sensational form, starring in wins against the Dolphins, the Knights as well as the Lions as the Eastern Cape franchise surged into second position.
Christiaan Jonker has also come good in spectacular fashion over the last two games. The burly right-hander has fallen just short of half-centuries in the Warriors’ last two games, finishing on 48* and 49*. Furthermore, he’s only been dismissed once in the tournament when Rory Kleinveldt trapped him LBW in their loss against the Cobras.
Their opposition for Wednesday, the VKB Knights have had a pretty disappointing campaign thus far. They currently occupy last position on the standings in what looks to be a repeat of last season. The Knights started the 2015/16 tournament poorly before going on a bit of a run at the end of the season, although it came too late as the Free Staters finished outside the play-off places. Boje will be hoping his charges can kick-start their season with a win at St George’s Park.
The Free State franchise will be hoping for another magical innings from David Miller. The South African star has blown viciously hot or frigidly cold this season with scores of 2; 120* and 1. Their other new signing, Marchant de Lange has been something of a revelation – albeit an expensive one.
The former Titans quick has bagged eight wickets in five games but has conceded just under eight runs an over. That’s been the story of the Knight’s attack this season though with Shadley van Schalkwyk, Patrick Kruger and Dillon du Preez have all returned economy rates of just under or over eight an over this season.
The Warriors have all of the momentum and should be backed accordingly. Get on at 82/100.
Written by Jason Dewey for @Hollywoodbets.