The City of Roses awaits the North West Dragons this weekend (8–10 October) as they begin their challenge for the CSA Provincial T20 knockout competition. Bloemfontein’s Manguang Oval will host the Dragons, Eastern Storm, SA u.19 and KZN Dolphins in Pool C, with blooming good cricket in store in a tough group, where the top two sides qualify for the playoffs.
There will be no room for error in this group, where a team can either blossom in the three back-to-back round-robin contests or wilt out of the reckoning. T20 cricket can be unpredictable and games could turn with a wicket or a couple of boundaries.
Momentum will be invaluable for the Dragons, which take on one of the favourites, the Dolphins in the first match on Friday, 8 October. The Dragons acquired former Dolphins stalwart and Protea, Senuran Muthusamy, as one of the top signings. His all-round ability, experience and knowledge of the Dolphins might just be invaluable.
The Dragons will look to captain Nicky van den Bergh to provide middle-order stability with Delano Potgieter and Wesley Marshall taking it to the attack with aggressive batting. Youngster, Eben Botha, can also hit the ball a mile and his youthful exuberance could well be one of many aces up the Dragons’ sleeve.
Pace bowlers, Eldred Hawken and Chad Classen are also well versed in the T20 format and will be the danger men for the Dragons. All-rounder, Nono Pongolo, batsman, Heino Kuhn and Ndumiso Mvelase are all injured, with youngsters in the Dragons academy setup, Heinrigh Pieterse, Caleb Seleka and Taheer Isaacs being called up.
The Dolphins are blessed with a talented team and will want to show why they are so highly tipped. Daryn Dupavillon, Grant Roelofsen, Keegan Petersen, Marques Ackerman, Prenelan Subrayen and Thando Ntini are just some of the big names who aim to go unbeaten and book their playoff spot.
Eastern Storm also boasts numerous talented individuals like Grant Thompson, Matthew Arnold and Wesley Colentianos that can stake a claim for a playoff spot.
Fixtures: NW Dragons vs Hollywoodbets Dolphins – 8 October: 10:00 NW Dragons vs SA u.19 – 9 October: 10:00 NW Dragons vs Eastern Storm – 10 October: 10:00.
