Jon-Jon Smuts’s troops need to win last two matches to topple Titans from top of the log
Top spot on the CSA T20 Challenge log will be up for grabs for the Warriors when they take on the Cape Cobras in both teams’ penultimate match of the competition’s group stage at St George’s Park tonight.
The Warriors guaranteed their place in the playoffs and virtually assured themselves of second spot on the log after an incredible run chase against the Dolphins in East London on Wednesday night.
But Warriors coach Malibongwe Maketa is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and is looking to keep his charges focused and taking it game by game.
“Our goal is always to take it one game at a time,” he said.
“We know that we need to go out there and win our last two games for us to be guaranteed top spot, so that is our focus.
“We want to make sure we leave nothing to chance and, hopefully, go straight into the final.”
Sitting on 27 points, two points behind the log-leading Titans and 10 points ahead of the third placed Cobras, the Warriors are pretty much set to host a home playoff game if they do not finish top.
For the Cobras to sneak into second spot they would need to claim bonus-point wins in their last two group games, while the Warriors must lose both theirs.
The Cobras head into the match off two big wins – against the Dolphins on Sunday and then the Knights on Wednesday – and will be carrying momentum into the game.
However, the home side will be riding high after their win over the Dolphins.
The Warriors were brilliantly led by captain Jon-Jon Smuts, who was named bowler and batsman of the match for his economic 0/23 in four overs and his unbeaten 107 with the bat, in a game that saw 433 runs scored.
“It was a special captain’s knock, exactly what we needed, and for him to do it under pressure in an important game like that really shows how far he has come as a player and leader,” Maketa said.
“But it was an unbelievable match. We did say that this game was going to be a final for us because we wanted to make sure we won it to guarantee us a playoff place.”
Another boost for the Warriors may see Proteas fast bowler Kyle Abbott make his debut after signing for the team in the closed season.
Abbott has been on international duty so far this season, where he has been in good form, and he could be in line to make a barnstorming start to his career with the Warriors. The match will start at 6pm. Following tonight’s game, the Warriors will take on the Titans in East London on Sunday in what will be a top-of-the-table clash regardless of tonight’s result.
The winner of that match will automatically qualify for and also host next Friday’s final showpiece.
The squads are: Warriors: Jon-Jon Smuts (capt), Kyle Abbott, Colin Ackermann, Qaasim Adams (on loan from Titans), Andrew Birch, Gihahn Cloete, Clyde Fortuin, Aya Gqamane, Colin Ingram, Christiaan Jonker, Sisanda Magala, Lesiba Ngoepe, Solo Nqweni, Basheer Walters, David White Cobras: Kieron Pollard (capt), Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Rory Kleinveldt, Richard Levi, George Linde, Aviwe Mgijima, Tshepo Moreki, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Nkululeko Serame, Dane Vilas