The opening match of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge takes place in Port Elizabeth on Friday evening when the Warriors host the Knights to get the tournament underway. Outright odds would suggest this is a clash between two of the lesser lights in the tournament but the match odds highlight a potentially competitive encounter.
Warriors
The Warriors made it all the way to the final of the competition last season against all the odds and they will be looking to go one better in this renewal of the tournament. In the main the players who carried them to the final last year remain in place in their squad so if they can find the form of 12 months ago they shouldn’t be ruled out.
The top four of the Warriors produced a lot of runs last season and while they will do well to do that again there is star quality in all four of them so we shouldn’t rule it out. Where the Warriors were really surprise last year was with the ball. They won’t go under the radar in that discipline this year so that is where their test lies.
Knights
The Knights were the bottom of the pile last season. They went into the campaign with expectation on their shoulders after the arrival of David Miller but he was restricted to just four matches which hurt their chances quite badly. He is expected to see more action in this tournament and remains the man who needs to deliver.
In fairness to the Knights they look to have a stronger squad this season than they had last term and if they can get off to a fast start they do look like the sort of side who will build momentum and have a good campaign so this is a big match for them. They could do with laying a marker down with the bat as that looks to be their concern.
Team News
Colin Ingram is in the squad for the Warriors in this match while Simon Harmer will be a welcome addition to the unit which went all the way to the final last season. All eyes will be on the likes of Jon-Jon Smuts and Colin Ackermann.
David Miller headlines this Knights side especially after his pyrotechnics against Bangladesh recently. Eddie Leie, Ryan McLaren, Marchant de Lange and Duanne Olivier all have international experience in their attack.
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Betting
This should be an interesting match. It will be billed as a clash between Colin Ingram and David Miller but there are many more battles to be won in the supporting cast and it will be compelling to see how it plays out.
I’m with the home side here the Warriors. I think their batting order is stronger overall and I don’t think they are a great deal weaker with the ball. Throw in home advantage and I think they have the edge. That edge becomes much greater if they can keep David Miller quiet. At 10/11 the hosts are my pick.
Tips
Back Warriors to beat Knights for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with William Hill
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