Gauteng and KZN Inland ready four semi-final clash
Gauteng coach Sandile Masengemi believes his team has the character required to win the Africa T20 Cup as they prepare for the finals weekend at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Sunday and Monday.
The Johannesburg side play KwaZulu-Natal Inland in the first-semi-final on Heritage Day, with the winner to play against either Namibia or the Free State, who meet in the second semi, for the 2017 title.
“It’s going to be a tough one because KZN have a very good team,” Masengemi said. “I know Shane (Burger) the coach because I use to play with him and he’s been doing great work with the KZN Inland side.
“So it’s going to be a big challenge, but the way the guys played in the group stage gives me a lot of confidence and hope.”
Gauteng reached the play-offs after topping a tough Pool B. Their progress was made all the more impressive after they lost their opening match to defending champions Eastern Province and they then went on to win their next two matches, against Northerns and North West, with bonus points.
“We were in a tough group, it was the group of death, but we managed to come through,” Masengemi adds. “There was a lot of character shown from the boys to come back the way they did after losing that first game and then getting two bonus-point wins.
“But now we need to start from scratch again, do the basics right and make sure we pitch up against KZN.”
KZNI coach Burger saw his side pull through from a rain-hit Pool D, which they topped ahead of Border, Boland and Zimbabwe thanks to twin wins and one no-result.
The men from Pietermaritzburg are the only side out of the four qualifiers with final experience after ending runners-up in the inaugural edition back in 2015.
The coach is hoping conditions in the Northern Cape will assist them.
“The Kimberley wicket is normally a really good one with a bit more pace in it than East London, which could suit our batsmen a bit more,” he said.
“We are used to preparing on tricky surfaces in Maritzburg so the boys are always grateful to get on to quicker pitches.”
The start times for the two semis on Sunday are 09h30 and 13h00, with the final on Monday to be played at 10h00.
Latest
-
NewsSachin Tendulkar thanks medical staff after returning home from hospital
Tendulkar was admitted to hospital last week after revealing he had tested positive for Covid-19 and had been in quarantine at home.
-
NewsNew Zealand name squad for their Test tour of England
New Zealand have named a 20-player squad for their tour of England, with three uncapped prospects in the group.
-
NewsJamie Porter hoping for England call after picking James Anderson’s brain
Porter was close to his England debut against India three years ago but has fallen down the pecking order.
-
NewsICC Rankings: Fakhar Zaman on the charge in ODIs
Fakhar Zaman has scored back-to-back ODI centuries in South Africa and is in red-hot form.
-
NewsICC pressing ahead with plans for T20 World Cup in India despite Covid-19 spike
Acting chief executive Geoff Allardice says the ICC is “not anywhere near” activating any contingency plans.
-
NewsMatt Parkinson takes positives from England tour despite lack of game time
Parkinson did not see competitive action in Sri Lanka or India.
-
NewsPonting sheds light on Smith’s Delhi Capitals role
Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting has given some insight into where Steve Smith would fit into his side.
-
News
Akhtar ‘wouldn’t call De Kock a cheat’ but run-out not in the ‘spirit of cricket’
Shoaib Akhtar has had his say on Quinton de Kock’s controversial actions during the run-out of Fakhar Zaman.
-
NewsSarah Taylor set for playing comeback in The Hundred with Welsh Fire
Taylor put her cricketing career on hold in September 2019 when announcing her international retirement.
-
NewsEoin Morgan believes there is still room for all three formats
England 50-over World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan...