We preview the mid-week Ram Slam T20 Challenge clash between the VKB Knights and the Multiply Titans to be played in Kimberley.
Following a pulsating weekend of Ram Slam T20 Challenge action, fans of the domestic game will be treated to a tasty mid-week clash between the VKB Knights and the Muliply Titans in Kimberley.
While the Titans come into the tie as favourites, the Knights certainly have the personnel to upset the odds in what should be a fine advert for South African franchise cricket.
Knights vs Titans | Wednesday 15 November | De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley | 18:00
To Win Match
VKB Knights 15/10 | Tie 35/1 | Multiply Titans 52/100
VKB Knights
Theunis de Bruyn and David Miller were the heroes for the Knights as they claimed a fine eight-wicket victory over the Warriors in Port Elizabeth last Friday. The two came together at the crease with the Free Staters in heaps of trouble at 15-2 in their pursuit of 154.
The duo set a set a franchise record partnership in the shortest format of the game (142), as they powered Nicky Boje’s men home. They’ll undoubtedly be called upon for big performances once again when they take on a powerhouse Titans outfit, although, one would hope for a bit more support from the rest of the top order.
They bowled well for the most part against the Warriors, although, I wouldn’t open with Ryan McClaren, it’s the one change that I’d make the Knights approach against the Titans. Marchant de Lange and Shadley van Schalkwyk should do the duties early on with McClaren coming on at first change.
The former Dolphins all-rounder opened the bowling in his last two T20 outings for Lancashire and was spanked about in similar fashion by much weaker top orders. De Bruyn absolutely has to use his two best bowlers early on in a bid to take early wickets and stem the flow of runs against the Preotria franchise.
If the seamers can keep things under control, it’ll make life much easier for the spinners. Aubrey Swanepoel got slapped around a bit in PE after a pretty good start and will need to be better against AB de Villiers and co.
While Swanepoel struggled a bit, I was mightily impressed with Eddie Leie’s performance on Friday evening. The former Lions’ leg-spinner was an excellent acquisition for the franchise and proved his worth, bagging two wickets and conceding just 16 in his four overs.
Multiply Titans
I always did think that the Lions would battle against the Titans, but I certainly didn’t expect Mark Boucher’s men to dispatch their Highveld neighbours with such ease. That’s not to say that the Pretoria franchise weren’t without issue.
Of course, Albie Morkel and AB de Villiers’ showing with the bat was a different class. The former also impressed with the ball, dismissing the dangerous Rassie van der Dussen and Mangaliso Mosehle inside of the first over to immediately put the Lions on the back foot.
David Wiese and Lungi Ngidi battled a bit though, as Reeza Hendricks pushed the Lions’ score out to a respectable 127-6 after 15 overs before the rain came down. Respectable as it was, it never looked to be enough against such a loaded Titans side, who ended up chasing down the total with 3.4 overs to spare.
Looking ahead, I really don’t think the Titans will have any problem overcoming the Knights on Wednesday. So as long as they can see off de Lange at the top of the innings, Quinton de Kock and his mates should be more than capable of dealing with the remainder of the Knights’ bowlers.
Verdict: Multiply Titans 52/100
You simply can’t go wrong backing the Titans at this price, they should – in my opinion at least – be closer to 3/10. Get on and add to all mid-week multiples.
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