The Momentum One Day Cup continues on Thursday with a Pool A clash between the Hollywoodbets Dolphins and the Titans at Potchefstroom
This season's tournament will be staged entirely in a Potchefstroom covid secure environment and we have two pools of three sides taking each other on twice with the top 2 in each pool contesting the semi finals.
Pool B is home for the Cobras, Lions and Warriors with their matches are slated to start on 29th January. Pool A is at the halfway stage and the Dolphins top the log with 2 wins from 2 and 9 points. The Knights are second with 2 points and the Titans 1.
Dolphins
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins are the holders of the domestic 50 over trophy and they have made an excellent defence to the title with a semi final place as good as assured.
In the opening match of the tournament the Dolphins beat the Titans by 76 runs. Batting first they posted 272/7 with Roelofson making 65, Phehlukwayo 51 and Muthusamy top scoring with an unbeaten 70. That target proved way too much for the Titans who's reply finished on 196/8 (de Swart 3/30 and Mungroo 2/16) and the Dolphins bagged a bonus point win.
Next time out the Dolphins went in again, coming out on top against the Knights by 53 runs. The Dolphins batted first and Roelofson was in the runs again, top scoring with 92. David Miller added 57 and the Dolphins posted 290/8. The Knights battled well but fell behind the asking rate and Frylinck returned figures of 2/14 from 8 overs as the Knights were all out for 237.
Titans
In the Titans defeat to the Dolphins Theunis de Bruyn top scored with 37 and their fate was determined some way before their innings closed tamely. They at least batted the full 50 overs which will be of some benefit considering their next scheduled outing against the Knights was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
It leaves the Titans, who's net run rate is poor, with little margin for error if they are to make the play offs with the second match with the Knights could be a virtual eliminator.
Potchefstroom
With all the matches being staged at this venue the pitches will be well worth keeping an eye on.
The Betting - Match Result
Dolphins 7/10
Titans 12/10
Other markets include the team to hit the most 6's and team of the top batter and bowler where the odds of reward are currently very similar to those in the match result market.
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict:
The Dolphins will want to keep the 100% record going and they have done very little wrong in the first half of this pool stage. The pressure on the Titans is significant, especially after the washout against the Knights. The Titans could well improve but to turn form around they will need big performances from their senior players and I wouldn't rule it out.
Shamsi looks a worthy favourite to be Titans top bowler and a chance is taken on the Titans to boast the top run scorer in the match.
Bets: Top Titans bowler Shamsi at 28/10
Team of top run scorer Titans at 11/10
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