There are two more matches in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge on Friday evening as four sides look to continue to push for places in the final and the playoffs at the end of the tournament.
All six sides in the tournament have played at least three matches in the competition now so the table is starting to get a true feel to it with the Dolphins leading the way so far.
They’re one of two sides not in action on Friday. The Cape Cobras are the other. The two matches are the Knights vs the Titans in Bloemfontein, which is the televised match, and the Warriors against the Lions.
To be honest I’ve not been all that impressed with the Warriors in this tournament. Their only win so far came in a rain affected super over against the Knights and that isn’t really even a form guide.
They look light with the bat and not overly great with the ball in truth and even though they are at home they will need their best to get the win they crave in this match.
The Lions have looked a much better side and had it not been for Kevin Pietersen’s ton against them they would have had another win. In fairness they didn’t look great against the Titans last time out but the Titans have one of the stronger bowling attacks in the competition unlike the Warriors so we can let them have that.
Ultimately this comes down to my age old battle in this format of who has the best bowling attack and the evidence we’ve seen so far, and the quality of names they have, suggest it is the Lions who have it so I’m on them to win here.
We saw the Knights on our screens on Wednesday night and they looked really good until Rory Kleinveldt came into bat for the Cobras and then they fell apart and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
On paper the Titans look stronger than the Cobras did so this is going to be a tough assignment for the Knights especially so soon after that defeat. The Titans are no price though and I’m on them outright so I’ll leave that match betting alone I think especially with the Knights likely to have Andre Russell back in their ranks.
Having Russell back is no bad thing for the sixes though and we saw the other night the potential for there to be sixes in matches involving the Knights and I fancy there to be a few here too especially if Russell gets going.
We might not need him to though because the Titans have some powerful hitters in their ranks in the form of Davids, de Kock, Behardien and of course Albie Morkel so all things being equal I expect to see more than 8.5 sixes in this one.
Back Lions to beat Warriors for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Sportingbet
Back Knights vs Titans – Over 8.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.85 with Betway
Blog cricket YTD: +38.11pts
