The Momentum One Day Cup final will be a clash of epic proportions as the two top teams in the month-long competition, the Lions and Dolphins, will battle for the title today (Thursday, 4 February).
Rain washed out the second semi-final between the Lions and the Knights on Tuesday, with the Lions promoted to the final as the Pool B winners. It was rather unfortunate for the Knights, who only played one match during the tournament, with all their other games cancelled due to rain.
The Dolphins, on the other hand, gained a fantastic three-wicket win in the first semi-final against the Cobras to cement their spot in the final. It has been quite a roller-coaster of cricket action in the bio-bubble in Potchefstroom and a tight final between two equally strong teams will be the best curtain-raiser for the SA domestic one-day scene.
The Dolphins can count on their opener, Grant Roelofsen, the second leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 191 runs at an average of just above 63. All-rounders, Senuran Muthusamy and Robbie Frylinck put on a match-winning partnership for the Dolphins in the semi-final and will want to repeat their stellar performances in the final. Ottneil Baartman is another Dolphins player to keep an eye on in the bowling department.
The Lions also have a balanced and multi- talented lineup with both bowlers and batsmen on top form. Bjorn Fortuin has impressed with his spin bowling, while Delano Potgieter’s all-round talents could come in handy in a pinch. The wicketkeeper, Nicky van den Bergh, has also been a rock in the middle order, together with Dominic Hendricks, whose class cannot be underestimated.
The Senwes Park pitch has been slow and sometimes tricky to bat on and any score above 250 should pose a decent challenge – the question is, which side will best withstand final-day pressure? 
