Titans will use a trusty method to try win 3 in a row
Their bowling attack has been outstanding in the Ram Slam and gives them a competitive advantage over the Dolphins on Saturday evening.
Lungi Ngidi has been superb as the Titans’ fast bowling spearhead. Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images.
The Titans have restricted every team they’ve played against this season to sub-170 totals through an aggressive approach and that’s the strategy they will continue employing in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge final against the Dolphins at Centurion on Saturday, according to captain Albie Morkel.
In fact, the Titans attack have only conceded more than 150 twice, in a game against the Knights in Kimberley which they still won by 38 runs and when their second-string attack played in Durban last weekend.
It is telling that the top four places in the bowling averages are all occupied by Titans players.
“Our mindset, the whole competition, has been to try and take wickets at regular intervals, so we have to be aggressive, you can’t have everyone on the boundary, even for the spinners. If the opposition gets away from you for a couple of overs, you can’t then get soft and start defending.
“So we will be very attacking, we were under pressure in overs five to 10 in the semi-final, the Warriors were going at 10-an-over, but we came back from that and the attack showed their character. There’s a good vibe in the camp and I’m hoping the guys really pitch up, I’m excited to see what level we can take it to in the final,” Morkel said on Friday.
While the Titans will probably field a team with eight internationals, Rivaldo Moonsamy coming in for the injured Henry Davids, Dolphins captain Khaya Zondo said his team are not going to be overawed and pointed out that they will bring seven Proteas of their own to the field of battle on Saturday.
“We’ve also got experience on our side and if you add up all of our years of playing, then it comes to 116 years of experience. So the knowledge is there in our changeroom, we’re not going to be star-struck or fazed. If we execute our skills and play well, we can win the game.
“To be honest, the guys wanted to play against the Titans in the final, not any other team, and it’s going to be a good game. In the big moments, we’ve done the right things at the right time to get over the line, because one mistake can cost you the game in this competition,” Zondo said.
Morkel said he was also expecting the visitors to provide a stiff challenge.
“The Dolphins are a very skilful side, they probably tick all the boxes you want in T20 cricket: They have aggressive batsmen, they have guys who can work the ball around and batsmen at the back who can clear the boundary; their attack has good death bowlers and excellent spinners, so it’s going to be a great contest,” Morkel said.
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