There’s a full set of fixtures coming your way this Wednesday in the CSA T20 Challenge.
We’ve got yet another full set of CSA T20 fixtures coming our way this Wednesday. The pick of the action will see the Multiply Titans host the bizhub Highveld Lions at SuperSport Park Centurion.
Elsewhere, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins make the short trip down the East Coast to face the Warriors while the BuildNat Cape Cobras and VKB Knights do battle at PPC Newlands.
Multiply Titans 53/100 | Tie 35/1 | bizhub Highveld Lions 31/20
The Multiply Titans have just started to wobble a bit of late. Two defeats in their last two games has seen them lose the massive buffer they had at the summit of the table. With this in mind, I think it’s definitely time for Mark Boucher to reinstate some of his big guns.
AB de Villiers is almost certain to take part in the competition going forward. The South African skipper has been told by selectors that he won’t be chosen for the Sri Lankan in-bound tour unless he’s match fit. Morne Morkel may also benefit from this while Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis could come in to further bolster the top order.
The bizhub Highveld Lions edged past the Hollywoodbets Dolphins into the final play-off spot last time out. They did so with an excellent win over the surprise package of this season, the Warriors. Rassie van der Dussen played an excellent innings at the top of the order as he raced to a 25-ball 50.
That innings set the tone as the Lions manged 157 from their 20 overs in tricky batting conditions at Kingsmead. Hardus Viljoen then starred with the ball as the Warriors fell agonisingly short, getting 152 from their 20 overs as the men from the Highveld claimed a five-run victory.
With the number of South African stars returning to the Titans’ side, I just can’t see them losing against what should be a spirited Lions side. Back the Pretoria franchise with confidence at 53/100.
BuildNat Cape Cobras 53/100 | Tie 35/1 | VKB Knights 31/20
The BuildNat Cape Cobras were full value for their convincing seven-wicket win over the Hollywoodbets Dolphins at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead this past weekend. Richard Levi (54), Dane Vilas (54) and Kieron Pollard (31) made short work of their pursuit of the Dolphins’ 178.
While the Cape side have a bit of a mountain to climb if they’re to make the play-offs, they’ll bolster those chances with a bonus point win over the hapless Knights on Wednesday evening. They have a far stronger squad and seem to have moved past the off-field issues that plagued them earlier in the domestic season.
The VKB Knights have been pretty terrible this season if we’re being honest. Things just haven’t quite gone their way despite making some excellent signings in the off-season. Marchant de Lange has been far too expensive while David Miller has been injured for half of the competition. Robin Petersen also announced his retirement before even playing a match for the Free Staters.
That said, the Knights will be looking to finish the season strong in the same way they did last year. Nicky Boje’s men could well become kingmakers in the race for the play-off spots if they can claim victories against the likes of the Cobras and the Dolphins.
The Cobras have turned a corner of late and look good value to get into the play-offs. Paul Adams’ men should prove too good for a spirited Knights team.
Warriors 67/100 | Tie 35/1 | Hollywoodbets Dolphins 5/4
The Warriors have been absolutely brilliant this season. Andrew Birch has been world-class with ball in hand while Jon-Jon Smuts and Colin Ackermann have been sensational with the bat. They missed a chance to go top of the log as they were beaten last time out by the Lions.
Despite the Highveld side posting a pretty ordinary score of 157, the Warriors’ top order – with the exception of Ingram – failed to make score. Birch was again brilliant with the ball as his f2.5 overs went for just 13 runs while his 19-ball 30 toward the end of the innings almost got his side over the line. If he fires with the ball again, the Dolphins will be in trouble. We might also see Kyle Abbott return
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins haven’t quite managed to his the heights of last season. Morne van Wyk has been a rock at the top of the order while Cameron Delport has matured into one of the better all-rounders in the competition.
Kevin Pietersen will no doubt be key to the KZN franchise’s chances of claiming the points when the sides meet at Buffalo Park in East London. If one of the top three of Delport, Pietersen and van Wyk can get a good score and Khaya Zondo or Cody Chetty can hang around with them; the Dolphins will be in business.
The Dolphins could have the edge here. If Kevin Pietersen plays like he did against the Cape Cobras, the KZN side every chance of claiming the win. They’re fighting for their lives at the moment, at could have the edge in East London – 5/4 looks a good price.