We will find out who the Titans will play in the Ram Slam T20 final when the second semi-final takes place in Durban on Thursday. The Dolphins play host to the Cape Cobras for a place in the showpiece event on Saturday evening.
A huge margin win in their final group match allowed the Dolphins to power their way into second place in the table, overtaking the Cape Cobras in the process and that means they get to host this match.
Dolphins
Rain has played a major part in the Dolphins’ campaign so far and as such they could only manage a result in half of their group matches and a couple of those were rain affected results which DLS delivered the verdict on. That said they weren’t losing those washed out matches and while they won the least of the four sides in the semi-finals their run rate and points total were maintained.
When the Dolphins have won this season, and they have only won on three occasions, they have generally won big so that will give them a lot of confidence and being on home soil should give them a lot more of that. The concerns are they rely a lot on their top four and their bowling is sometimes too reliant on their spinners.
Cape Cobras
The Cobras surrendered home advantage in this semi-final when they failed to beat the Warriors in their final group match. While that wasn’t ideal I don’t think we should condemn them too much because they were guaranteed a place in the semi-finals and when the competitive intensity isn’t there professional sport can be tricky.
Prior to that the Cape Town outfit were in fantastic form with their batting working something of a treat and their bowling backing them up. They have plenty of quality in their squad and a load of players who can win a match on their own which is a good thing to draw back on. As former winners of this they will know how to win big matches.
Team News
The Dolphins have named a full strength squad which means that Imran Tahir, Keshav Maharaj and Andile Phehlukwayo are all involved while Morne van Wyk will be looking to continue his good form.
The Cape Cobras will be boosted by the potential return of Justin Ontong. He is a big hitter who can destroy any side. The all-round skills of Vernon Philander and Rory Kleinveldt could be crucial.
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Betting
Four of the five matches to be held at Kingsmead this season have been rain affected and this looks like being no different sadly. With Cape Cobras having to play to have any chance of progressing there could be a huge element of farce about proceedings here.
That doesn’t inspire any confidence in a bet I must say. On a dry day with a full battle guaranteed I would have backed the Cobras but I don’t want to be on the wrong end of the DLS or anything like that so I’m happy to sit this one out.
Tips
No Bet
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