Titans face crucial Paarl clash

Cricket365
March 14, 2018

Cobras coach Ashwell Prince does not expect the Sunfoil Series title to be decided when they face the Titans this weekend but acknowledges that results of the upcoming round nine could be key to determining the destiny of the title.

Both teams are in the running and are amongst four teams separated by just over five points ahead of their encounter at Eurolux Boland Park in Paarl.

It is a key game in the context of the season, and with the other two sides in the top four – the Warriors and VKB Knights – also going head-to-head, no one can really afford to lose.

“There’s two games to go and we’re one point adrift, so if all the games are drawn then it’s going to go down to the last week,” Prince said.

“But it goes without saying that this is a very important weekend because any team that gets a win this weekend, whether it’s one of us or anyone else, they will gain a huge advantage, because of the small gap at the top of the table.

“A win will be massive and certainly give you the upper hand.”

With both sides knowing that a win this week could be key to the 2017/18 crown, a more open game could be on the cards.

Prince continued: “Both want a result so that means it could be a more attacking game. But we’re both in the same boat probably.

“I guess the worst thing is a loss, but you’ll take a draw if everybody else draws, but ultimately anyone of the top four win this weekend then they will be in the driving seat in the final round.”

The Cobras do have more of the momentum heading to the game after they overcame the Dolphins in the previous round, while the Titans lost to the Warriors.

Visiting coach Mark Boucher hopes that the result from round eight will spur them on in the Cape. “We lost the game to the Warriors with the last ball of the game, which was disappointing,” he reflected. “But I don’t necessarily think it was a bad thing because the last time that happened we went on to win the next two games convincingly.

“It was a good wake up call for us.”

Boucher is also looking forward to an open game against the Cobras and hopes they can start well on day one.

“I think it’s a massive week for the whole competition,” he added. “There’s five sides within catching distance of each other.

“Everyone has had a bit of a break as well, everyone’s had a good chance to prepare, so it’s all guns blazing for us.

“You’re not going to go out there and try to draw a game or anything like that. We’re going to go out there to try and win.

“We obviously have to get into a position to do that first, so that’s what our initial aim will be. Have a good first day and pick up from there.”

The Cobras squad is: Yet to be released

The Titans squad is: Heinrich Klaasen (capt), Andrea Agathangelou, Matthew Arnold, Farhaan Behardien, Henry Davids, Tony de Zorzi, Eldred Hawken, Heino Kuhn, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Alfred Mothoa, Tabraiz Shamsi, Malusi Siboto, Shaun von Berg.