CLT20 team profile: Titans
Faf du Plessis and Albie Morkel bowed to their contractual obligations of the Chennai Super Kings, leaving the Titans sans the services of a key duo. The extent of the bench strength needed to fill the twin void remains in the balance.
<b>Captain:</b> Jacques Rudolph<br><b>Coach:</b> Rob Walter<br><b>2012 CLT20:</b> Losing semi-finalists<br><b>C365 Rating:</b> 8/10<br><b>Betting Odds:</b> <a href='http://www.paddypower.com/bet/cricket/champions-league-20' target='_blank' class='instorylink'>10-1</a>
<b>Strengths</b><br>Roelof van der Merwe is a wily campaigner and has been around the block for the Delhi Daredevils, etc. Somewhat of a Twenty20 specialist, the slow bowler can look forward to a telling contest.
Travels from Ranchi to Chandigarh, back to Ranchi, and then through to Ahmedabad could be perceived as hampering, but experience and knowledge of three venues will stand them in good stead for the latter stages of the competition.
Like the Lions, the Titans have seen this all before – and will be very motivated to go a couple better than last year's semi-final loss. Change in playing personnel and fresh coaching leadership will inspire.
<b>Weaknesses</b><br>Matthew Maynard has moved on, and the Titans have a new coach in Rob Walter. He worked on the peripherals of the Proteas management for years, and the step up to head honcho will be a testing one.
Faf du Plessis and Albie Morkel bowed to their contractual obligations of the Chennai Super Kings, leaving the Titans sans the services of a key duo. The extent of the bench strength needed to fill the twin void remains in the balance.
Marchant de Lange's fitness is temperamental at best, and a handful of trying spells in conditions hardly suited to fast bowlers might be the proverbial final straw that ensures another stint on the sidelines do to injury.
<b>Star Player</b><br>David Wiese recently earned a long-awaited graduation to South Africa's Twenty20 International fold, and showed great promise. With a World T20 berth lying in wait, this is the stage to demand selection.
<b>Bench Warmer</b><br>If AB de Villiers takes the gloves, second-in-command wicketkeeper Heino Kuhn will find himself surplus to requirements. De Villiers should rest his wary back, though, considering the extended duties behind the stumps required at international level later this year.
<b>They Said</b><br>"I feel really blessed and honoured to become part of the coaching staff of the Titans. This has been a dream since I retired from playing and I am excited about the opportunity to add value and contribute to the continued growth and success of the team." – new assistant coach Mandla Mashimbyi.
<b>Squad</b><br>Jacques Rudolph, Farhaan Behardien, Henry Davids, Marchant de Lange, AB de Villiers, Cornelius de Villiers, Heino Kuhn, Eden Links, Ethy Mbhalati Morne Morkel, Mangaliso Mosehle, Rowan Richards, Graeme van Buuren, Roelof van der Merwe, David Wiese.
<b>Fixtures</b><br>Sunday, 22 September: v Chennai Super Kings, Ranchi<br>Tuesday, 24 September: v Brisbane Heat, Chandigarh<br>Saturday, 28 September: v TBC, Ranchi<br>Monday, 30 September: v Trinidad and Tobago, Ahmedabad
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