The Lions and the Dolphins will contest the final of the Momentum One Day Cup at Potchefstroom on Thursday and the match result betting suggests we are in for a close game.
Lions
The Lions were scheduled to take on the Knights in the second of the semi finals on Tuesday but no play was possible and they advance to the final courtesy of a superior record during the pool stage.
Earlier the Lions topped Pool B ahead of the Cobras with the Warriors missing out on the play offs. The Lions won their first 3 matches of that pool to secure an extended stay in the tournament before losing their final pool game to the Cobras by 76 runs.
The Lions had started their campaign with a 6 wicket victory over the Cape side and followed up with a 42 run win over the Warriors and another 6 wicket win over the Warriors sealed the deal.
This is how the Lions would have lined up in their semi final had any play been possible.
Bryce Parsons, Kagiso Rapulana, Dominic Hendricks (capt), Nicky van den Bergh (wk), Delano Potgieter, Nono Pongolo, Eldred Hawken, Johannes Diseko, Wesley Marshall, Sisanda Magala, Malusi Siboto
Dolphins
The Dolphins earned a crack at defending the title they won last season when they beat the Cobras by 3 wickets in their semi final at this venue on Monday. The Dolphins bowled the Cobras out for 196 with Baartman (3/15 in 5 overs) the leading wicket taker. The Dolphins looked in control at the half way stage but they hit trouble at 58/5 early in their chase. Muthusamy (57) and Frylinck (62) more than steadied the ship and when both departed the tail still had plenty of time to get the Dolphins over the line.
In the pool stage the Dolphins won their first 2 matches against the Titans (76 runs) and the Knights (53 runs) before their 2 remaining pool matches were completely washed out.
This was how the Dolphins lined up against the Cobras in their semi final.
Grant Roelofsen (wk), Marques Ackerman, Ruan de Swardt, Mangaliso Mosehle, Khaya Zondo, Senuran Muthusamy, Robbie Frylinck, Prenelan Subrayen (capt), Kerwin Mungroo, Eathan Bosch, Ottniel Baartman
Potchefstroom
With all the matches being staged at this venue the pitches (and the weather forecast) will be well worth keeping an eye on
The Betting - Match Result
Lions 8/10
Dolphins even money
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict:
The Dolphins are unbeaten and although they made hard work of their semi final they had been without a game for some time and that may have been a factor in a below par batting effort.
Meanwhile the Lions were impressive in the pool stage but have since lost some key players to the Proteas squad for the T20's in Pakistan. For me that swings the balance in favour of the Dolphins who are taken to come out on top.
Bets: Dolphins to win at even money
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Note, odds are subject to change
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