The final of the CSA T20 Challenge takes place at the Wanderers on Sunday afternoon where the Lions host the Warriors.
Lions:
The Lions retain home advantage after coming through their semi final against the Dolphins with a comfortable 8 wicket victory at The Wanderers on Wednesday. The Lions bowled first and although they were under pressure after the first power play they eventually restricted the Dolphins to 163/8. Williams and Mulder both claimed 2 wickets whilst Phangiso’s 4 overs cost just 19 runs and he also chipped in with a wicket.
The Lions lost Reeza Hendricks early in the chase and his opening partner Rickleton went on to make 35. Thereafter the Lions dominated with Bavuma (52) and van der Dussen (69) batting right through as the Lions got home with 8 balls to spare.
This was how the Lions lined up against the Dolphins in the semi finals
Ryan Rickelton (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Wiaan Mulder, Dwaine Pretorius, Nono Pongolo, Migael Pretorius, Bjorn Fortuin, Aaron Phangiso, Lizaad Williams
The Lions had topped the log at the end of the round robin stage with a record of 5 wins, 2 defeats and 3 no results. Their 2 defeats did come at The Wanderers, to the WSB Cape Cobras ( 5 runs) in their opening game and the Warriors claimed a 9 wicket victory at this venue.
Warriors:
Shortly after the Lions booked their place in the final the Warriors took to the field in East London for their match up with the WSB Cape Cobras. The Warriors batted first and opener Breetzke top scored with 60 and Smuts and Qeshile both made it into the 30’s as the Warriors posted 172/7.
Although that looked a very decent score the Cobras were well in control of the chase until the second half of their innings and Magala (2/19) was the pick of their bowlers as the Cape side came up 15 runs short.
This was how the Warriors lined up in their semi final
Jon-Jon Smuts (capt), Andrew Birch, Matthew Breetzke, Gihahn Cloete, Jade de Klerk, Lesiba Ngoepe, Sisanda Magala, Marco Marais, Onke Nyaku, Sine Qeshile (wk), Lutho Sipamla
The Warriors finished second on the log at the end of the round robin stage, 2 points behind the Lions and 2 in front of the Cobras. They won 4 of their 10 matches alongside 2 defeats and no result was possible in the other 4.
Head to Head
The first meeting between the sides this season (in East London) was washed out. In the return the Warriors dished out a 9 wicket hiding to the Lions at The Wanderers. Batting first the Lions posted 144/6 with Pretorius unbeaten on 48 at the end. The Warriors had all the answers and they put on 107 for the first wicket before wrapping up victory in just 14.3 overs with Breetzke hitting 72 not out and Cloete made 54.
The Betting, click here for all markets
Lions 8/13
Warriors 13/10
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Note prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.
Verdict:
The Lions deserve to be favourites but this Warriors side has some dangerous customers in their battling line up and they did trounce the Lions on this ground in the round robin.
If any combinations of Breetzke , Cloete, Smuts or Marais cut loose with the bat the Warriors could hit more 6’s than their opponents regardless of the match result.
Suggested Bet: Most Match Sixes, Warriors at 13/10
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