Two games into the new MTN40 competition and there is already a sense of "ho-hum, here-we-go-again" dreary sameness about the Highveld Lions' fortunes.
Two games played, two lost, and one of those was a 104-run hammering in Bloemfontein that came on the back of a record score of 168 by Diamond Eagles opener Morne van Wyk.
The Lions have now won eight of their past 34 domestic limited-overs matches and though the format this year has changed, their inability to win hasn't.
Not that they had it easy. The Lions emerged from three tough SuperSport Series matches straight into the new competition against two sides - the Cape Cobras and Eagles - who'd both had a month of limited-overs cricket in the 20-over Champions League.
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There can be no excuses for how poorly the Lions have bowled On Wednesday they will play the KZN Dolphins in the first of two matches before they switch back into four-day mode next Thursday with a trip to Cape Town.
However, as hard as that schedule has been, there can be no excuses for how poorly the Lions have bowled.
"We have stuck with them because we believe they are the best group we have but they have to bowl better," Lions coach Dave Nosworthy said on Tuesday.
Power Play or not, the Lions have conceded 289 and 286 runs through inconsistency and an inability to execute plans.
"We've spent quite a bit of time discussing strategies for the Power Plays, when to use yorkers or changing pace," Nosworthy explained.
Also, the lack of a frontline spinner has hurt, but they've addressed that this week by including Monty Panesar and Hong Kong Sixes hero Werner Coetsee.
The Dolphins lost their first match of the competition to the Warriors last Friday and will see tonight's game in Potchefstroom as an opportunity to right their ship.
They have also included a hero from Hong Kong in big-hitting opener Loots Bosman.
Lions (from):
Alviro Petersen, Jean Symes, Jimmy Kgamadi, Neil Mc-Kenzie (captain), Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Jonathan Vandiar, Zander de Bruyn, Thami Tsolekile, Werner Coetsee, Cliffe Deacon, Monty Panesar, Aaron Phangiso, Andre Nel, Friedel de Wet.
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This article was originally published on page 27 of The Star on November 04, 2009
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