The Hollywoodbets Dolphins face their toughest test of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge season when they travel to Willowmoore Park on Friday 24 November.
Following two successive home washouts, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins will face their sternest test of the season when they travel up to Benoni to face the Multiply Titans.
The Titans sit comfortably atop the standings and already look as they’ll easily secure a home final with an 11 point lead from their Highveld neighbours, the Lions.
Titans vs Dolphins | Friday 24 November | Willowmoore Park, Benoni | 18:00
To Win Match
Multiply Titans 57/100 | Tie 35/1 | Hollywoodbets Dolphins 29/20
Multiply Titans
The Titans have been on fire this season, although as much was to be expected with a side that boasts so many top Proteas. They’ve won all four of their games pretty comfortably with many predicting a straight-forward enough victory against the Dolphins at the weekend.
They cruised past the WSB Cape Cobras last time out, with victory set-up by their bowlers as they restricted JP Duminy’s men to just 119 from 20 overs. The frontline seam trio of Albie Morkel, Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi continue to impress with the ball.
Ngidi’s progress is particularly pleasing as he goes from strength to strength after returning from a long-term back injury. A Proteas recall – at limited overs level for now – can’t be too far off and I for one can’t wait to see him steam in alongside Kagiso Rabada under the tutelage of Ottis Gibson.
While their seamers are certainly an intimidating unit, their real strength lies in their top order. Aiden Markram and AB de Villiers have been in fine fettle this season, averaging 73 and 65 respectively after three innings.
Farhaan Behardien, Albie Morkel and Henry Davids have all got in on the act too, with the lower order yet to be tested in the competition. They’ll need to be at their best to cope with a very strong Dolphins attack and will need to negate the threat of an all-star attack that will contain Robbie Frylinck, Andile Phelukwayo, Keshav Maharaj and Imran Tahir.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins
Two washed out affairs at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, a thumping win against the WSB Cape Cobras and the narrowest of losses against the bizhub Highveld Lions have left the Dolphins in third place on eight points. They’ll do well to come away with anything on Friday against a Titans outfit who have yet to really be challenged.
Grant Morgan will know that his bowlers will need to keep the pressure on from the first over right through to the last if they’re to stand any chance up in Benoni. Unlike the other teams, you can’t strangle the Titans by keeping the scoring down in the Power Play.
They’ve got far too much firepower and experience in their team to let a slow start bog them down in the latter period of their innings. If Frylinck, Maharaj and Phelukwayo can keep things quiet with Tahir striking at regular intervals, we could be in for a game. Anything loose will be pounced upon while missing lines and lengths with any sort of consistency will see the Titans pile on the runs.
There will also be plenty of pressure on the Dolphins’ top order. They don’t bat very deep and will need the experienced heads of Sarel Erwee, Morne van Wyk, Dane Vilas and Khaya Zondo to come off. Indeed, Sibonelo Makhanya might need to contribute with the bat as he did against the Lions last week.
Verdict: Multiply Titans 57/100
The Titans are simply too good. The visitors will need an almighty performance – especially from the bowlers – if they are to stand any chance here. At almost 6/10, you’d be silly not to back the Titans, get on!
