The first of the CSA T20 Challenge semi finals sees the Lions host the Dolphins at the Wanderers on Wednesday and the home side start as favourites.
The composition of the semi finals was finalised on Sunday with the winners of this clash set to take on the victors of the other semi between the Warriors and the WSB Cape Cobras which takes place later in the day.
Heading into the semi finals this is how the outright tournament winner betting looked.
Lions 19/10
WSB Cape Cobras 28/10
Warriors 28/10
Dolphins 4/1
Note prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.
Lions:
The Lions topped the log at the end of the round robin stage with a record of 5 wins, 2 defeats and 3 no results. They sealed top spot and eliminated a powerful rival with a 4 wicket victory over the Titans at Centurion on Sunday and if they win here they will also have home advantage in the final at the weekend.
Their 2 defeats did come at The Wanderers, to the WSB Cape Cobras ( 5 runs) in their opening game and more recently the Warriors claimed a 9 wicket victory at this venue. The Lions did win once at their HQ, a 19 run victory in the first meeting with the Titans.
This was how the Lions lined up against the Titans on Sunday
Ryan Rickelton (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Dwaine Pretorius, Wiaan Mulder, Nono Ponogolo, Bjorn Fortuin, Aaron Phangiso, Migael Pretorius, Lizaad Williams.
Dolphins:
Rain had a say in much of the Dolphins campaign with no result possible in 4 of their 10 matches. They came into the final round of the regular season needing to beat the Cobras whilst hoping the Lions would do them a favour away to the Titans. That scenario looked a big ask but it came out right for the Dolphins who held their own side of the bargain with a 5 wicket home win over the Cobras which was completed in just 15.1 overs. The other 2 victories for the Dolphins came away at the Warriors (7 wickets) in their penultimate outing and at home to the Knights (4 wickets) in their fist action of the tournament.
This was how the Dolphins lined up against the Cobras on Sunday.
Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Morne van Wyk (wk), Cody Chetty, Khaya Zondo (capt), Sibs Makhanya, Andile Phehlukwayo, Senuran Muthusamy, Robbie Frylinck, Keshav Maharaj, Prenelan Subrayen, Daryn Dupavillon
Head to Head
When the teams met in Durban in Match 5 the Lions came out on top by 18 runs, successfully defending 159/5. The scheduled return in Potch was one of many games which was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
The Betting, click here for all markets
Lions 6/10
Dolphins 27/20
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Note prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.
Verdict:
Whilst the Lions deserve the favourites tag after topping the log they did lose 2 of 3 at The Wanderers and the Dolphins finished the tournament strongly with wins over the other 2 semi finalists.
In what has been a fairly unpredictable tournament so far the visitors get a speculative vote to come out on top.
Suggested Bet: Dolphins to win at 27/20
Remember you can have your own say on all this week’s matches on our discussion forum
