Written by Jason Dewey for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
And then there were five. The Dolphins’ loss last time out to the Warriors put an end to any lingering hopes that they would have harboured of making through to the play-offs.
With the Cape Cobra’s already assured of a home final, the Warriors, Lions, Titans and Knights are left to scrap it out for the remaining play-off places.
VKB Knights 5/4
Draw 35/1
bizhub Highveld Lions 13/20
The Knights head into their Saturday fixture against the Lions knowing that nothing less than a victory will do if they are to sneak into the play-offs via the back door. They put on a magnificent display last time out against the Warriors in East London, defeating the Eastern Cape franchise by 74 runs.
Rudi Second played a watchful 149-ball 110 knock as he carried his bat through the entire Knights’ innings. While Second anchored the innings, Patrick Botha (63) and Werner Coetsee (42) provided the fireworks as the Knights posted an imposing 258-6 at Buffalo Park – a notoriously difficult place to bat.
The Warriors would have been quietly confident in chasing down the Knights’ total, especially considering the wealth of batting talent they possess within their ranks. It was to be a limp chase, however, as the hosts crumbled to a disappointing 184 all out. Only Jon Jon Smuts put up any sort of meaningful resistance as he battled to a 70-ball 53. Only three other batsmen got into the twenties as the Warriors’ challenge fizzled out.
The Lions have been magnificent this season, thanks largely to the efforts of Alviro Petersen. He starred once against last time out as the Highveld franchise narrowly defeated the Dolphins at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom. The right-hander powered his way to his fifth century of the season as the Lions posted 276-7. Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma also chipped in with handy scores of 45 and 42 respectively.
The Dolphins’ chase got off the worst possible start as they lost Morne van Wyk, Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Cody Chetty for the addition of just 56 runs. The Lions were very much on the back foot after Kyle Nipper and Ryan McLaren put on a 117-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, both batsmen would fall in the space of two overs effectively ending the Dolphins’ challenge.
The Lions should prove far too strong for the Knights who have had a bit of an indifferent season. As such, I’m tipping them to claim victory and take one step closer to the play-off places.
Chevrolet Warriors 29/20
Draw 35/1
Cape Cobras 11/20
The Warriors kept their chances of making the play-offs of the Momentum One Day Cup with an emphatic nine-wicket win over a woeful Dolphins side on Wednesday this week. Andrew Birch returned career-best figures of 4-15 as he tore through the Dolphins’ top order with Basheeru Walters as the KZN franchise capitulated 47-6. It wasn’t to get any better for the hosts as they lost continued to lose wickets at regular intervals as they were eventually reduced to 110 all out.
The Warriors had no trouble in chasing down the Dolphins’ total with Jon Jon Smuts and Colin Ackerman made short work of the chase reaching 108 before the former was dismissed by Andile Phelukwayo. The Damage had already been done, however, with the Warriors needing just three more runs for victory.
The Cobras have been the form side of this season’s Momentum One Day Cup. They’ve won six out their eight games thus far on their way to booking a home final. They smashed the Titans last time out in a rain-affected game.
The Cape side powered their way to 237 off just 42 overs with Justin Ontong (65), Omphile Ramela (53) and Dane Vilas (46) getting the bulk of the runs. The Titans’ chase never really got going as they lost wickets at regular intervals as they spluttered to 133 all out.
The Warriors will be fighting for their lives on Saturday, although I simply can’t see them getting the better of the Cobras. The away side is tipped at 11/20.
Dolphins 29/20
Draw 35/1
Titans 11/20
The Dolphins will be keen to put this Momentum One Day Cup campaign behind them. They’ve only managed three wins in nine games thus far and look destined to finish at the foot of the table. They were comprehensively defeated last time out by the Warriors.
They were skittled for 110 before the side from the Eastern Cape chased down the total with minimal fuss. There have been a few bright sparks for the KZN franchise this season, however, Keshav Maharaj and Andile Phelukwayo have shone with both bat and ball in an otherwise dismal campaign.
They will take on a Titans side who are fresh off a hammering of their own at the hands of the Cape Cobras. They’ve been massively affected by call ups to the national side with as many as seven of their best players unavailable for the majority of the tournament.
That being said, they still possess more than enough quality in their side to challenge for the title this year. They have it all to play for this weekend which is why I’m backing the Pretoria-based franchise to get the business done against the Dolphins at 11/20.
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