OBAKENG MELETSE
Like defending champion Max Verstappen in Formula One, the Warriors are seemingly running their own race in the CSA T20 Challenge at their own pace, while nullifying any threats to their dominance.
The Warriors have stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches with the rest of the pack scrapping for the remaining three play-off positions. There are only two points separating second and fourth.
Western Province will look to open up a gap when they come up against the Lions at Newlands in Cape Town at 6pm today. The clash between the two heavyweights could come down to fine margins with both sides on 21 points and Province slightly ahead due to net run rate.
Chasing only 116 for victory against the Boland Rocks in Paarl on Sunday, Reeza Hendricks (53) and Evan Jones (43) saw the Lions home with 16 balls to spare, but they missed out on a much-needed bonus point and the chance to better their net run rate. It could come back to bite them later in the tournament.
Nqabayomzi Peter, meanwhile, picked up 3-14 to round off a perfect bowling display by the Lions.
On paper, the Lions have one of the tournament’s most balanced batting line-ups but they are yet to fire in this tournament. Nevertheless, they will have momentum on their side against a wounded Province who lost by nine wickets at home to the Warriors.
Tony de Zorzi was ruled out due to injury, and was replaced at the top of the order by Jonathan Bird. He and Eddie Moore got Province off to a solid start with a 42-run partnership.
Province failed to build up anything substantial following that initial partnership, and could only manage to score 100 runs for the remaining 14.1 overs with George Linde’s 30 off 25 balls the only decent contribution. The Warriors chased down the target with 21 balls remaining as they continued their unbeaten streak.
Elsewhere, the Northwest Dragons will host the KZN Tuskers at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom, also at 6pm tonight.
The Dragons have an outside chance of reaching the semi-finals and will need better luck following their rained-out fixture against the Titans on Monday.
They will be confident going up against a Tuskers side that has been battered and bruised in a season to forget. The KwaZulu-Natal outfit lost their derby against the Dolphins by 19 runs after having a grip on proceedings for most of their batting innings.
The Tuskers have nothing but pride to play for, and they will need to find a way to nullify the in-form Migael Pretorius, who has found success in the PowerPlay and has 12 wickets in the tournament. Teammate Rubin Hermann leads the way at the top of the batting table with 327 runs.