With the Cricket South Africa One Day Cup group stage having wrapped up on Sunday with Boland having booked a home final while the Titans and Dolphins are set to play the qualifier at Kingsmead Stadium on Wednesday, Independent Media‘s Ongama Gcwabe picks SIX Players to watch in the contest.
Dewald Brevis-
Having had a slow start to his domestic career compared to what many would have anticipated, Brevis has finally made his mark in the longer formats of domestic cricket. The 21-year-old leads the runs charts in the One Day Cup with 362 runs at an average of 72 and has one hundred, and three half-centuries in only six innings. Known for his skill in spinning conditions, Brevis will be one to watch at Kingsmead on Wednesday.
Jon-Jon Smuts-
The veteran is once again putting his hand up in domestic cricket and sits second on the runs chart with 360 runs at an average of 51 and has five half-centuries in seven innings as he often fought alone in the Dolphins’ batting order in the group stages. Motivated by the spin-friendly conditions and the home ground advantage, with the ball, Smuts will be itching to have a crack at the young Titans batting unit.
Rivaldo Moonsamy-
Moonsamy has been a destructive force for the Titans this season. In the ongoing One Day Cup, the right-hander has smashed two centuries and currently sits with 293 runs at an average of 49. Opening the batting alongside Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Moonsamy will be an important figure in that Titans line-up.
Jason Smith-
With the Dolphins having a brittle batting unit, Jason Smith’s skill with the bat and calming presence at the crease will play a massive role on Wednesday. The right-handed batter has three half-centuries in the tournament so far and one came against the Titans in the group stages. Having recently accumulated One Day International experience for the Proteas, Smith is a big player for the Dolphins.
Tsepo Ndwandwa-
The 29-year-old left-arm orthodox might have played only two matches in the campaign thus far, but make no mistake about his ability and skill in spin-friendly conditions. Coach Richard das Neves has used Ndwandwa in Paarl and Bloemfontein, the other two spin-friendly wickets around the country and might look to give the spinner another go in the qualifier. Ndwandwa has returned best figures of 3/21 against Boland in Paarl in his two games and given that he took a five-for in his last outing at Kingsmead, he will be confident.
Prenelan Subrayen-
The experienced off-spinner will be itching to have a crack at the Titans batting unit at his home ground on Wednesday, more so given that he has already taken six wickets in Durban in the competition including figures of 4/56 against the Lions. With over 15 years of experience under the belt, Subrayen is a serious threat to the Titans.
