Titans’ aspirations in Momentum One Day series thwarted by rainy weather in Potchefstroom
Persistent rainy weather, rather than their abilities on the cricket field, was the reason why the Titans were eliminated prematurely last week as participants in the Momentum One-Day Tournament.
The Titans are out of the domestic Momentum One Day tournament, after three of their four play-off matches in Potchefstroom rained out.
Due to the Covid-19 threat, Cricket South Africa – in their infinite wisdom – decided to stage the play-off phase of this tournament in a so-called “bio-bubble” at one venue. But they apparently made the worst possible choice for those matches when they named Senwes Park in Potchefsrtoom as the venue.
South Africa’s six franchises were divided into two groups of three each. The two groups have to compete against each other during January at different times by means of a double round robin system. First, the Titans, Dolphins and Knights would gather in Potchefstroom between 9 and 15 January for these play-off matches, after which the two teams at the top of the group log would then qualify for the semi-finals.
The Lions, Warriors and Cobras will then also gather in Potchefstroom from 22 to 30 January for their part of the play-off phase, to determine two more semi-final candidates.
The Titans finished last in their group last week, but Mandla Mashimbyi and his team can rightly feel frustrated about the state of affairs, after mother nature – rather than their abilities on the field – determined their fate in the tournament.
Due to heavy and persistent rain in Potchefstroom only two of the six scheduled matches in this group stage could be completed.
In this process, three of the Titans’ matches were abandoned, while they had to sit powerless and watch their chances being washed away day after day on the soaking wet outfield of Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.
To top it all, the Titans were penalized with one league point in the first and only game they were able to complete, against the Dolphins, due to a slow over-rate.
The Titans will now have extra time to prepare thoroughly for the continuation of the Cricket SA four-day series, which will resume on 18 February. Mashimbyi’s men are currently at the top of the points table in Group A of this series.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
