Fireworks are expected when the Warriors and Cape Cobras collide in a massive CSA T20 Challenge semifinal at Buffalo Park in East London on Wednesday afternoon.
It is the Warriors’ second semifinal of the 2018/2019 season, after they reached the same stage in the Momentum One Day Cup competition and fell to the Dolphins.
They will be looking for a much better effort this time around against the Cobras.
Warriors coach Rivash Gobind said: “It is always what every team aims for at the start of a competition: to get to the semifinal stage, then you sort of reassess and take it from there.
“The Cobras are a good side, they have some really good players and JP Duminy coming back in is a big one for them, but we also have guys who are playing very well and I think it is going to be a good contest.”
Players like Marco Marais, who holds the best strike rate and second-best average in the competition so far, Jon-Jon Smuts, Gihahn Cloete, Andrew Birch, Sisanda Magala and Lutho Sipamla will be integral in how the Warriors perform and will need to be at the top of their game.
The Warriors secured their home semi by beating the Knights on Sunday at the same ground, which allowed them to stay in the city and prepare ahead of the important knockout match.
This should give them a major boost after the amount of travelling they have put in over the competition.
“It is definitely a positive that we are able to stay in East London for a few days and not travel. We know the conditions, we have played well here this season, so we have been able to get our preparation done as normal and that will give us a boost,” Gobind said.
The Warriors will be the form team heading into the semis after winning three of their last four games, while the Cobras head in with an opposite record, having lost three of their last four.
However, despite their recent form and demanding travelling schedule, they are fired up for the challenge.
“The schedule has obviously been pretty demanding this season, but it is the semifinal of the competition, so we want to end off well,” Cobras coach Ashwell Prince said.
“We are one of four teams left and we are all two wins away from lifting the trophy, so it is no different for us.
“We are pretty excited about being in the semifinal and we are looking forward to the game.”
The Cobras boast an array of impressive players like stalwarts Rory Kleinveldt and Vernon Philander, and up-and-coming talents like Kyle Verreynne, Janneman Malan and Jason Smith, but they will get a massive boost from returning Protea Duminy.
“Every player is hoping to add a lot to the team, but JP is a quality player.
“He has had his injury concerns over recent times but Cricket South Africa felt comfortable releasing him to play, so he is over the worst with his shoulder and I am sure he is looking to have a big impact in the game,” Prince said.
The action gets under way at 4.30pm on Wednesday.