We preview this Friday’s Ram Slam T20 Challenge match between the WSB Cape Cobras and the Multiply Titans set to go down at PPC Newlands.
The Ram Slam T20 Challenge’s two form franchises will go head to head this Friday in a top of the table clash. The Multiply Titans have swept all before them this season while the Cobras have won four on the trot.
The Pretoria franchise showed signs of frailty against the Knights last weekend in their pursuit of a meagre 133 total. The Cobras too scraped past the Free Staters on Wednesday. This should be an absolute cracker of a fixture, let’s take a look.
Cobras vs Titans | Friday 8 December | PPC Newlands, Cape Town | 18:00
To Win Match
WSB Cape Cobras 39/20 | Tie 35/1 | Multiply Titans 41/100
WSB Cape Cobras
The Cobras have well and truly put their dismal start to their Ram Slam T20 Challenge campaign behind them. After losing their first three matches, they stormed back up the standings with four successive wins.
Friday’s encounter will be the sternest test of their winning run so far. The Titans coasted to victory when the sides clashed at Centurion in mid-November, winning by seven wickets with 39 balls to spare.
They only just got past the Knights on Wednesday thanks to a fine bowling display from Dane Paterson. The South African seamer has endured an indifferent campaign but bounced back to claim 4-24 on Wednesday. His dismissal of David Miller and Ryan McClaren in consecutive balls proved to be the pivotal moment in a match that remained on a knife’s edge throughout.
Indeed Paterson along with the rest of the Cobras’ attack will need to be on song again when they face up to the competition’s most destructive top order. Rory Kleinveldt (6.52) and Ferisco Adams (7.60) will have their excellent tournament economy rates tested – whether or not they pass said test will likely determine if Cobras come out on top here.
Multiply Titans
Mark Boucher will know full well that his side got lucky against the Knights last weekend. They were under the pump from early on as Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Henry Davids and Aiden Markram were all dismissed cheaply in a chase of a paltry 133.
Of course when your squad is loaded with match winners, you generally tend to come out on top more often than not. Farhaan Behardien walked out to the crease with his side in trouble and guided them home (along with Albie Morkel [27] and Chris Morris [17*]) with a magnificent 39-ball 56.
Whether or not Boucher will stick with de Zorzi or opt to bring in one of his more experienced players is a differnet story. De Zorzi is a brilliant young talent but is probably better suited to the longer formats of the game.
I imagine we’ll see the bigger guns brought back into the playing XI against the Cobras. AB de Villiers could slot in for de Zorzi with Davids moving up the order to open the batting. It was also nice to see Chris Morris playing again, while he was a bit expensive with the ball he showed excellent maturity with the bat to help guide his side home against the Knights.
Verdict: Multiply Titans 41/100
While they wobbled against the Knights last week on a very tricky surface, I still think they have more than enough to snap the Cobras’ four-match winning streak. Get on the Titans – it might well be the last time they’re anywhere near 4/10 this season.
