Titans geared up for crucial T20 derby

 The defending champions were beaten by the Warriors last Friday for their second loss in succession, but they have managed to hold on to top spot after the Eastern Cape franchise, who still have a game in hand, were beaten by the Lions on Sunday.

 

However, the competition is now at a crunch stage with just three match days remaining and the Titans hold a slender one-point lead over the Warriors, whom they do play away in their final game. “It’s getting tight at the top there, but we remain in control of our own destiny,” Boucher said. “If we win our next two games, we should get a home final.

 

“So it is close, but that’s how T20 cricket is designed. We’re in a position where we don’t need to rely on anyone and the plan is to still go out there and secure a home final.”

 

Reflecting on the loss to the Warriors last Friday, Boucher insisted it was water under the bridge as he had swiftly moved on. “It’s been quite a hectic schedule so the guys have been given a bit of a break after that Warriors loss,” he explained. 

 

“I'm not looking too much into that defeat. But I thought it was a first stumble as a batting unit, so that was disappointing. Hopefully the guys can pick up now after a small rest and finish strongly heading into this week.”

 

The Titans have stuck with the same squad that has already served them so well this season, meaning there is no return for any of their Standard Bank Proteas, bar Tabraiz Shamsi, who did play the last game.

 

The Lions on the other hand do welcome Temba Bavuma back for the Jukskei derby. They already had Dwaine Pretorius playing for them at the weekend and the men from Johannesburg are looking far better now in third position after three wins in a row.

 

“I'm very pleased how we’ve come back in the past few games,” their coach Geoffrey Toyana said. “It was very tight on Sunday, but that’s the nature of T20 cricket.

 

“We’ve turned it around and I'm quite happy that we’re alive with three games to go. We’ll try and take it one game at a time and see where that takes us.”

 

The Titans won the first round meeting in a game that marked the start of a fine run of five straight wins and Toyana was hoping they would be able to get one back in the derby.

 

“They beat us in our own back yard and hopefully we can do the same to them,” he added. “Both teams will be under pressure because of the tightness on the log. But it will be a matter of whoever pitches up on the day.”

 

HEAD TO HEAD – Multiply Titans v bizhub Highveld Lions

 

Matches Played         24

Titans Win                    12

Lions Win                      12

 

MATCH STATS (T20 CHALLENGE)

MULTIPLY TITANS

BIZHUB HIGHVELD LIONS

Highest Score

194/4 (Johannesburg 2016/17)

188/7 (Johannesburg 2006/07)

Lowest Score

112/8 (Centurion 2007/08)

81 (Centurion 2007/08)

Highest Individual Score

91* AB De Villiers (Centurion 2005/06)

101* HE van der Dussen (Potchefstroom 2014/15)

Best bowling in an innings

5-28 F du Plessis (Johannesburg 2011/12)

4-10 GJ-P Kruger (Centurion 2007/08)