South African Domestic Season 2016/17

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Klaasen milestone edges Titans closer

Heinrich Klaasen’s maiden franchise hundred last week against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins helped the Multiply Titans to a crucial two wicket win to take them to the top of the Sunfoil Series log ahead of the competition’s final round on Thursday 09 February.

The Titans victory, coupled with the Knights loss to the Cobras in the tournament’s penultimate round saw the defending champions Titans leapfrog the Knights into top spot.

With their final match starting on Thursday in Benoni against the bottom-placed Warriors, Klaasen and company know that their fate lies in their own hands.

“The big thing is that we want to get one up on the Warriors, because they beat us quite comfortably in the first half of the season. I do still that everyone is still in play and there are a couple of teams that can still win this competition – so this weekend is very important for us,” said Klaasen.

“The nice thing about this week is that if we win, we take the trophy; so it is all in our hands. We can’t blame anyone else if something goes wrong, it is all on us. The log is very close and that is healthy for the competition,” he added.

Klaasen’s first innings 193 against the Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg last week was his maiden Sunfoil Series ton and his seventh first-class century.

His 150-run seventh wicket stand with Shaun von Berg (54) helped the Titans to a first innings lead of 102 runs, before a nervy 91-run fourth innings target was achieved with eight wickets down.

“The wicket was very difficult to play on, especially against the spinners as one would skid on and one would rip. Prenelan Subrayen bowled well and everything happened from his end, so it was very nerve wrecking to score 90 runs,” explained the Titans wicketkeeper-batsman.

To date in the Sunfoil Series, Klaasen has played eight matches, scoring 621 runs at an average of 56.45 courtesy of the aforementioned hundred and a further four fifties.

With Mangaliso Mosehle’s departure to the Lions, Klaasen has been relishing extended game time as the first choice wicketkeeper.

“I have been waiting for this opportunity for quite a while. I was very happy to have a good T20 competition and a decent four-day series so far. I know how it feels to be back in the queue, so I want to keep this position for myself.”

“For me, it is very important to keep performing every single game,” said the former Menlopark High School and Tuks student.

Boasting a career average of 50.41 in his 50 First-Class matches, the 25-year-old Klaasen will be hoping for another milestone this weekend as the Titans aim to claim their second piece of silverware for the season having already won the T20 Challenge in December 2016.

 

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More cricket for the SA domestic season. This time the big T20 league for 8 teams.

More on the tournament

CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA (CSA) President, Chris Nenzani, today welcomed the prospect of South African fans being able to see their Proteas heroes as well as a significant number of the world’s global stars in action in the inaugural edition of its new #T20 Global Destination League, debuting later this year.

“This is truly a win-win situation for all the stakeholders in South African cricket,” commented Mr. Nenzani.

“It has now been 8 years since we last hosted a major ICC tournament. In the intervening years, our fans have only been able to see the world’s best players during bi-lateral tours. With this new #T20 Global Destination League, we present an opportunity for these players to be seen in South Africa on an annual basis.” added Nenzani.

“We are excited to see our star Protea players in action with all Protea players available to play in the tournament. Eight star South African players will be pre-assigned to each of the teams. There will be over 120 participating players with over 80 spots for South Africans. In addition, this tournament will reach its crescendo at the start of the summer holiday season which will make it particularly attractive to our youth.

“It has also become a trend for the franchises in these competitions to appoint past icons to their coaching staff, and this will have further benefits for the game. The opportunity is there for our own players and coaches to interact with the best, and this has particular significance for those of our players who have yet to play international cricket to test their ability at a very significant level.

“Our tournament has now become a reality and it is something we can embrace with a sense of excitement and enthusiasm. I would like to commend our Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat, and his team for the outstanding manner in which they have done the ground work to make this all possible,” Nenzani concluded.

The process for securing international players will be closely monitored to ensure proper procedures are followed and NOCs are received by the respective home Boards.

 

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SA u19s won the triangular v Sri Lanka 2-1 but still quite a bit needs to be done to improve the team come 2018 U19 CWC.

Mitchell van Buuren, Mohammed Mayet, Wiaan Mulder, Ruan de Swardt, Michael Cohen & Lutho Sipamla are not eligible. Not sure Mulder was needed to play in this tournament & should have stayed with the Lions and I also don't think the captaincy helped him either. van Buuren and de Swardt go to Tuks and Sipamla will probably join up with EP squad.

Out of the other 9 :

Batsmen Breetzke, Makwetu, van Tonder, Christensen are shoe-ins. Spinner Jade de Klerk is a shoe-in and if they take 2-spinners then Keenan SMith is a shoe-in. Akhona Mnyaka is probably a shoe-in as seam bowling was a weak point with this squad and most certainly will be strengthened. Gerald Coetzee, Fraser Jones (saw he was bowling to the Proteas & Sri Lankans in the nets in prep for Durban ODI) , Thando Ntini and Mihlali Mpongwana should all come in. The number 5 and 6 batting spots seem the most immediate area that needs to find candidates.

 

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Good news about Maharaj.

Huge final Sunfoil Series push needed from Dolphins

In what is arguably one of the most exciting climaxes to a South African domestic four-day competition in many years, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins will need to secure a win against the in-form BuildNat Cape Cobras to have any chance of winning the 2016/2017 Sunfoil Series.

With the Multiply Titans needing just 91 runs to win in the second innings in their Sunfoil Series match in Pietermaritzburg this past week, a valiant effort from the Dolphins nearly saw them scoop an unlikely victory with Prenelan Subrayen being the pick of the bowlers in the Titans’ second knock with 5/35.

It was not enough as the Titans snuck home with two wickets to spare.

A casualty of that game for the Dolphins was star all-rounder Keshav Maharaj, who picked up a groin injury that forced him from the field in the Titans’ first innings. Maharaj was unable to bowl or bat in the Dolphins second innings – a big blow to the Durban-based franchise.

“Although it didn’t all go our way in Maritzburg it was great that we were able to push a top side all the way,” coach Grant Morgan said.

“With one man down with an injury, a key man, the boys should feel proud of the effort that they put in last week.”

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins go into their final round showdown knowing that a win is the only option if they are to win their first outright four-day title since the establishment of the franchise system, manufacturing that win is what Morgan has put a lot of thought into.

“We have to go into the first day with a very strong mindset whether we bat or bowl so we can gain an immediate advantage over the opposition.

“When both sides are trying to win if you can put the opposition behind the eight ball they can’t go into a defensive mindset, they also have to try and move the game forward.

“If both sides are playing good cricket the game will accelerate on the final day as both teams need to try and fabricate something to give themselves a chance at winning the game,” Morgan explained.

With the Titans and the VKB Knights in the driving seat going into this final round of fixtures, Morgan has to keep a close eye on their progress knowing that his chargers will have to pounce should they get a sniff at a title chance.

“If the Titans or the Knights win there isn’t anything we can do besides play for our highest possible position on the log.

“But if the Titans and the Knights don’t get above a certain amount of batting points and by lunch on day two we know that, we will exert pressure and hopefully know exactly what we have to do on the final day.”

Sahara Stadium Kingsmead has been a happy hunting ground for the East Coast men with an unblemished record at their home ground. Morgan believes that the way his side has gone about constructing results at home has been positive.

“We have been good at executing our plans and besides not getting over the line in Maritzburg we have done it in the previous two games we played at Kingsmead.

“The Knights were way behind the game when we lost two days to the weather and then we lost two days again against the Warriors when we had them virtually on their knees.

“I am happy with the way in which we have embraced our local conditions,” added Morgan.

With the Momentum One Day Cup around the corner the Dolphins coaching staff have taken the decision that captain Morné van Wyk will sit out the final Sunfoil Series clash with Mthokozisi Shezi also being rested with a slight hamstring niggle.

Keshav Maharaj’s groin injury has not healed and he will sit out but should be fit for the opening One Day Cup clash with the Titans on Friday, 17 February.

With the injuries to the squad, the coaching staff have added KZN Inland left-arm seamer Attie Maposa and exciting, young right-arm quick Okuhle Cele to the squad for their final four-day outing of the season.

Both players are yet to be capped at franchise level.

HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS SQUAD:
Okuhle Cele, Rabian Engelbrecht, Rob Frylinck, Attie Maposa, Sibonelo Makhanya, Senuran Muthusamy, Calvin Savage, Daryn Smit, Prenelan Subrayen, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Divan van Wyk, Khaya Zondo.

 

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Bouch thriving in the role. Heard the other day that there were certain people at CSA that were against the Titans hiring him.

Playing at 60 percent

“We still have not fulfilled our potential. We are only playing at 60 or 70 % of our abilities. But our Sunfoil Series fate is in our hands. Just imagine. If we can perform in the final game of the season at close to the peak (80 or 90 %) of our powers, we can triumph and retain the Sunfoil Series Cup,” said a proud Mark Boucher, coach of the Multiply Titans.

The Titans won a hum-dinger of a match against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins by two wickets, while scrapping and digging in their heels when Prenelan Subrayen was threatening to run through the top- and middle-order, taking 5-35.

The visitors reached 91 for eight to win by two wickets in Pietermaritzburg during the weekend and returned to the summit after the previous log-leader, the VKB Knights, were soundly beaten by the Buildnat Cape Cobras.

The Titans are at the summit of the Sunfoil Series log with 94.62 points, just marginally ahead of the VKB Knights, who are on 92.24 points.

The Titans and the Warriors will clash at Benoni from Thursday 9th February in a match that will determine whether the Hennops River squad retain the four-day domestic showpiece.

“I said at the start of last week I don’t want us to play pretty losing cricket, but rather ugly winning cricket, and that is what we did in our victory by two wickets against the Dolphins to get us to the summit of the log,” Boucher said.

“Heinrich Klaassen and Shaun von Berg got together when we were staring down the barrel and showed a lot of character in their 150-run partnership,” Boucher said.

“They knuckled down and their partnership secured us a first-innings lead (of 102 runs), which was like gold dust,” Boucher said.

“It was a difficult pitch and the ball turned quite significantly, which was quite foreign to some of our batsmen,” Boucher said.

“In the second innings it was Klaasen’s great little knock, although it was 35, and Von Berg, who stuck it out, which gave us the win,” Boucher remarked.

“The trophy is within our grasp. The match against the Warriors is like a final, so the destiny is in our hands and we win this match, the trophy can be ours,” Boucher added.

Probed about Klaasen, who smashed 195 in the first innings and 35 in the second, Boucher said: “The key to his success is that he is hungry for runs. He is a very mature and smart, intelligent cricketer.

“Klaasie plays within his limitations. There were quite a few cricketers who decided to remove shots from their repertoire when they got out too many times to it. An example was Steve Waugh, who dropped the pull shot.

“Klaasie does the same. He plays to his strengths, and eliminates shots which are not part of his strengths. I have moved him up the order to give him more opportunities. If I had left him at number six or seven, he might have ended up scoring an unbeaten 60 or 70,” Boucher said.

“I do know our middle-order has not been at their best, but we are going to address it,” Boucher added.

 

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Good to see a partnership like this struck. Been saying it should happen for a while.

Foxes announce new partnership with Multiply Titans

Leicestershire County Cricket Club are delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Multiply Titans in South Africa.

The team will spend two weeks in South Africa as part of pre-season preparations for 2017 where they will play against the Multiply Titans on Sunday, February 19 at SuperSport Park as well as use the fantastic practice facilities at the venue.

Multiply Titans are currently top of the table in the Sunfoil Series, South Africa’s four-day competition, with one game to go. Both clubs will benefit significantly from the arrangement, which could also see an exchange programme developed in the future.

Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Pierre de Bruyn played for Titans during his first-class career and started his coaching career with TuksCricket at the neighbouring University of Pretoria.

“We are hugely excited about the formation of this magnificent partnership, it makes a lot of sense for us to have the link with Multiply Titans,” said de Bruyn.

“We are delighted to be travelling to South Africa for the pre-season tour, which will include a game against the Multiply Titans at SuperSport Park. I played at the ground for many years and it will be an inspiring venue for our players to perform at. I’d like to thank Head Coach Mark Boucher for the opportunity to play a game against quality opposition.

“The players will also benefit from using Multiply Titans’ practice facilities. It is a part of the world I know very well and an ideal spot to bring the squad together for pre-season training. Longer term, there could be the possibility of an exchange programme that would be mutually beneficial to both clubs.”

Chief Executive of the Multiply Titans Jacques Faul said: “We are excited about Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s visit to our world-class stadium, both teams will benefit from this partnership and learn from each other’s skills.

 

[91Jmay]

Leicestershire's new CEO is a very impressive character. Has taken what was a minor county in terms of quality and made them halfway competitive.

 

[SeamUp]

Leicestershire's new CEO is a very impressive character. Has taken what was a minor county in terms of quality and made them halfway competitive.

Makes sense with their hiring of Pierre de Bruyn. Outside the box appointment but proven developer of talent at Tuks ie Markram, de Bruyn, Klaasen, Ngidi & they won the World Uni Champs twice in a row.

The Titans facilities are top class for Leicestershire's budding talent and I would imagine if any Titans academy player gets to join Leicestershire in our winter they will be a top top talent to.

Should be a good partnership.

 

[91Jmay]

Makes sense with their hiring of Pierre de Bruyn. Outside the box appointment but proven developer of talent at Tuks ie Markram, de Bruyn, Klaasen, Ngidi & they won the World Uni Champs twice in a row.

The Titans facilities are top class for Leicestershire's budding talent and I would imagine if any Titans academy player gets to join Leicestershire in our winter they will be a top top talent to.

Should be a good partnership.

They had the very impressive and potentially future Australian coach Andrew McDonald prior to him before he took over Victoria.

 

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No Sisanda Magala. Either Gqamane or Bokako should replace him from the last round.

Birch wasn't involved last round. Keeper Fortuin has been dropped for the last few games.

Smuts & Jonker considered limited overs specialists.

Despite there still being a mathematical chance for the Warriors to catch the leaders, coach Malibongwe Maketa has admitted it would take a “miracle”.

However, they can still make some substantial gains on the table with victory as well as help other teams should they spring an upset on the East Rand.

“We set ourselves high hopes at the start of the season to do well in this competition and we want to now make sure we finish off strongly,” Maketa said. “Most of our players achieved personal goals of what they set out and we just want to now end well.”

Tladi Bokako and Aya Gqamane have been added to the Warriors’ squad for the clash.

- See more at: Algoa FM | Warriors look to end Sunfoil series with a flourish

 

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Titans

“it’s important for us as leaders not to panic,” boucher said. “we need to understand that the advantage is with us as it stands and if we can just focus on what we do and have a decent game of cricket, then that hopefully will be enough for us to go on and win.

“so our focus is pretty much in one direction. So thankfully we don’t have to worry about anything else.”

boucher, who has led the franchise to the t20 challenge crown this season, has already seen his side slip up once when they gambled against the buildnat cape cobras in a bid to get ahead at the summit, but instead paid the price of defeat.

“we experienced what it’s like to get too far ahead of ourselves against the cobras and we paid the price,” the titans boss added. “you want to play attacking cricket, but you also need to remember the way you go about getting a base first.”

rookies tony de zorzi and alfred mothoa have been named in the squad for the clash.

- see more at: Algoa FM | Warriors look to end Sunfoil series with a flourish

“we have discussed the game and our focus is to perform at our fullest potential. We must play at the highest intensity instead of being concerned about other teams,” said aiden markram, who was at the helm of the south african u.19-team when they won the world cup for youth teams in dubai in 2014.

“this is a must-win game for us. We have experienced a few escape-out-of-jail moments this season,” he added.

Markram acknowledges that the middle-order has not been at their best, but he takes some personal responsibility for their demise.

“we have had decent starts, but the fact that we have made scores, doesn’t mean our job is done,” he said.

Markram implied that the openers were guilty of losing their wickets almost instantaneously and also suggested that they could capitalize on those starts properly.

“we have discussed the collapses. We have said that if we lose one wicket, we must sharpen up, tighten our play and make sure another string of wickets don’t fall,” he added.

“the top-order must make sure we get good-innings scores,” he remarked.

Markram said the attack has bowled very well. Yet, they have not been completely at their best. He said they can prolong the period in which they create pressure.

“we set high standards for ourselves. We need to maintain those good spells for longer periods of time, build pressure and earn the right to strike double blows.

“good intensity, good spells and good partnerships will set us up nicely for a win,” he added.

Markram and heinrich klaasen have been the in-form batsmen, but dean elgar is the senior statesman in the batting line-up, while the experienced middle-order includes the accomplished david wiese.

Tony de zorzi, who led south africa at the u.19 world cup in bangladesh in january/february 2016, has also been included in the squad.

He is averaging an impressive 72.66 in first-class cricket for northerns, and will be watched with interest.

He is a 19-year old player who has already struck a first-class ton (unbeaten 103) in only five games at this level.

The multiply titans squad is: Henry davids (capt), junior dala, tony de zorzi, dean elgar, heinrich klaasen, heino kuhn, aiden markram, alfred mothoa, rowan richards, malusi siboto, jonathan vandiar, shaun von berg, david wiese.

 

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Lions, Knights focus on Joburg task

Bizhub Highveld Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana concedes there is little point worrying about what the other franchising are doing if they are unable to do their final Sunfoil Series job correctly against the VKB Knights at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg starting on Thursday.

Both teams, as well as all the others, will be keeping close tabs on what is happening elsewhere as the curtain prepares to come down on one of the closest domestic four-day races in history.

“The biggest focus for us is on what we need to do as opposed to having eyes in other places, so that’s where the focus will be, on us implementing our skill levels correctly,” Toyana said.

Just over 10 points separates the fifth-placed home side from the top-of-the-table Multiply Titans, who are hosting the Warriors in their last game.

All the teams will be hoping the champions slip up as they try and overhaul them at the summit. “It’s that type of a weekend where the winner takes all,” Toyana, whose side beat the Warriors last week said. “We gave ourselves a chance with that result in East London and we’ll carry a lot of that confidence into this game.

“We are at home this week and in very familiar surroundings. We do understand the magnitude of this game, not just for us, but all the franchises will be feeling the same way.”

Toyana’s Knights counterpart Nicky Boje agreed that even though their eyes may be elsewhere, the players needed to keep focus on what they had to do heading into the match.

“You always look, but the main focus will have to be on getting our processes correct,” he said. “That’s what we’ll be aiming to do this weekend.”

The Central franchise are the closest challengers to the Titans as they sit second, just over two points adrift.

“All three matches will be played in an attacking mindset and all three games will be like finals, so it’s going to be an exciting finish,” Boje added.

There are two unfamiliar faces in the Knights squad with uncapped Driaan Bruwer and Thabo Masheshemane drafted in, while the Lions have named the same squad from seven days ago.

Keith Dudgeon and Nono Pongolo, who did not play against the Warriors, have been retained in the squad to meet the Knights and one of them could play if the Lions decide to go with an all-pace attack.

The Knights will come to Johannesburg with Theunis de Bruyn and Rudi Second amongst the most successful batsmen in the competition, while fast bowlers Duanne Olivier and Marchant de Lange have spearheaded their attack.

 

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All-out attack from Dolphins and Cobras

Both the Hollywoodbets Dolphins and BuildNat Cape Cobras will not be holding back when they meet in their potential winner-takes-all Sunfoil Series clash at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban starting on Thursday.

It is the final match of the four-day season and both teams are trying to reel in the Multiply Titans and VKB Knights above them as the competition winds down to one of its closest finishes in history.

“We have to go into the first day with a very strong mindset whether we bat or bowl so we can gain an immediate advantage over the opposition,” Dolphins coach Grant Morgan said. “When both sides are trying to win if you can put the opposition behind the eight ball they can’t go into a defensive mindset, they also have to try and move the game forward.

“If both sides are playing good cricket the game will accelerate on the final day as both teams need to try and fabricate something to give themselves a chance at winning the game.”

Winning the title is ultimately out of their hands – they need both the champion Titans and the Knights to slip up in their matches against the Warriors and bizhub Highveld Lions respectively.

But there is hope for Morgan, whose side squandered a golden chance for pole position when they were beaten at home by the Pretoria-based franchise last weekend.

“If the Titans or the Knights win there isn’t anything we can do besides play for our highest possible position on the log,” he added.

“But if the Titans and the Knights don’t get above a certain amount of batting points and by lunch on day two we know that, we will exert pressure and hopefully know exactly what we have to do on the final day.”

Cobras coach Ashwell Prince has overseen a remarkable transition for the Cape side since replacing Paul Adams at the turn of the year.

Not many people gave them a chance of climbing off the foot of the table, let along contending for the title, but three wins from four has put them on the brink of what would be a remarkable win.

“We have now won three out of four matches and you cannot ask for more from the players,” Prince said. “If you look at the log now, it’s probably everyone down to fifth place that will be thinking they can win it. I think even the Warriors can win if there was rain around the rest of the country, so you never know.

“I have no doubt the Dolphins will be up for it as well, they’re a point behind us and it’s all to play for on this final weekend, which makes it a great advert for the Sunfoil Series.”

The former Proteas batsmen wants to see his players leave everything out on the field this week. “If we are beaten, it should be because we played great, but we were just surpassed by a team playing even greater than us,” he adds.

The Cobras are expected to stick with the same players that did duty in Paarl last week.

For the Dolphins, Morne van Wyk again sits out, while Mthokozisi Shezi (hamstring) and Keshav Maharaj (groin) are also missing.

Rookie seamers Attie Maposa and Okuhle Cele have been drafted into the squad.

 

[SeamUp]

A few franchise debuts this round following on from last week with Kyle Simmonds for Cobras and it is crunch time for the title.

Dolphins : Attie Maposa
Lions : Keith Dudgeon
Titans : Tony de Zorzi & Alfred Mothoa


Also good to see Matt Breetzke, Raynard van Tonder and Lutho Sipmala straight into provincial cricket from SA u19.


Good start for the Titans : WAR 39/3 (16.0 ov, CA Ingram 9*, MY Vallie 9*, SA Mothoa 0/11) | Live Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

COBRA 65/1 (30.0 ov, AG Puttick 31*, S van Zyl 21*, P Subrayen 0/13) | Live Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

KNGHT 76/0 (16.1 ov, DS Rosier 40*, LL Mnyanda 29*, S Jamison 0/20) | Live Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

 

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Rilee Rossouw has skipped the Knights for Pakistan T20.

Delport & McLaren also involved.

 

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Cobras and Knights looking strong with the Titans looking like they in a real contest with the Warriors.

 

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A few franchise debuts this round following on from last week with Kyle Simmonds for Cobras and it is crunch time for the title.

Dolphins : Attie Maposa
Lions : Keith Dudgeon
Titans : Tony de Zorzi & Alfred Mothoa

Looks like he counts as a 'black African' as one of his parents are. More complex issues as they come along in this country's cricket.

Another from the KES production line and a former SA u19 player.

At the crease on debut now for Titans in a sticky situation.

EDIT : And just dismissed for 6.

 

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I really liked what i saw with Migael Pretorius. Tall, fast and looks competitive.

He had a bit of mongrel about him. Another fast bowler produced from the area. Wouldn't surprise me to see him get his franchise debut in the next year.

Currently 3-11 v North West - NWEST 37/3 (15.0 ov, WJ Lubbe 0*, K Rapulana 11*, M Pretorius 3/11) - Drinks | Live Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo


Anton Ferreira
Tertius Bosch
Fanie de Villiers
Rudi Bryson
Steve Elworthy
Albie Morkel (Was 150 in his youth !)
Dale Steyn
Morne Morkel
Marchant de Lange
Chris Morris
Hardus Viljoen
Duanne Olivier

 

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Bavuma out for a duck.

 

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Taking wickets and now scoring hundreds.

Shaun 'Warne' Von Berg

Crucial knock that. They were facing a deficit on the unreliable Benoni wicket in small scoring game so far but ended up with a 40-run lead.

So crucial as if the Titans win I am pretty sure they win the title but if they slip up the Knights and Cobras are in good positions.