The high octane cricket spectacle that is the 2017 Ram Slam T20 tournament has reached the halfway mark.
This gives a chance for some introspection on all the excitement and an idea as to what the future holds in the coming two weeks.
The local favourites, the bizhub Highveld Lions, who are filled with some of North West and Gauteng’s cream of the crop, have had an up and down start to the competition with some narrow losses and wins. Their 6-wicket victory in Potchefstroom against the Dolphins last Sunday was perhaps the highlight of their competion so far, as a dramatic last-ball win was one of Senwes Park’s greatest moments.
The Lions should have won the match comfortably at 154/0 but lost the plot somewhat and scraped home, thanks to Wiaan Mulder’s last ball boundary.
The sight of Kagiso Rabada and company hugging young Wiaan Mulder and unbeaten centurion Reeza Hendricks (102) was one of the sporting highlights of the weekend.
The Lions next face the table-topping Titans in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 29 November and a win will be crucial in the context of the tournament.
Should the Lions win, their charge to the semi-finals will be strengthened. On the other side of the coin, a loss would make things extremely difficult as both the Cape Cobras and Warriors are hot on their heels. The Lions’ 4-wicket defeat to the Warriors was on the back of a 6-run loss to the Cobras, leaving the Lions with much to contemplate.
One of the shining lights of the Ram Slam competition for the Lions has been the breathtaking form of opening batsman, Reeza Hendricks, who is currently the top scorer in the completion with 319 runs at an average of 106.33.
His runs have literally led the Lions to victory and his ongoing momentum will be cru- cial in tight games. If Hendricks continues in this vein, no one will be able to bet against the Lions. The trick will be for Toyana’s men to get everything right. A complete team effort is needed if they want to tackle the Titans.

Photos: Mario van de Wall