Johannesburg – After yet another rain-affected cricket match, the Knights are looking to build some sort of momentum when they host the Titans on Wednesday, heading into the business-end of the One-Day Cup.
“Rain is one of those things that you can't control, but obviously there is something about us playing in Durban or Maritzburg,” coach Sarel Cilliers said.
Aside from the rain, the Chevrolet Knights have also been affected by injuries to Morne van Wyk and Reeza Hendricks at the top of the order, and the recent call-ups to the national team of both Dean Elgar and Ryan McLaren.
“We've now used four captains this season, and we will have to find another one for Wednesday. But, you know, it's always a good thing if players are being called up, so we wish them the best of luck if they get a chance to perform,” Cilliers said.
“We will have to give a few youngsters a chance in a pressure environment, but that is the only way that they will develop as players.
“We have to win every game from here on, and that in a way makes it easier for us, because there are no ifs and buts.”
For the Titans, life is a lot simpler. Their emphatic, seven-wicket win over the Warriors on Sunday suggested they were peaking just in time for the crucial stage of the round-robin fixtures.
“Sunday was definitely our best team performance this season,” said top-order batsman Henry Davids.
“It's important that we click now, and I think we are in very good nick coming into these next few fixtures.”
Davids has been in decent form himself, notching 161 runs at a strike rate of 83, setting his side on the way with some sparkling knocks at the top of the innings.
Davids said the Titans had been lucky to avoid the bad weather, which appeared to have followed teams like the Knights around all season.
“It can't be easy for them, but weather is one of those unfortunate things that you can't control. Touch wood, it hasn't affected any of our matches and hopefully that continues. It helps when you can play a full game, because then you can go for bonus points, which can make a big difference at the end.”
The Titans will be trying to get back into second place with a win at the De Beers Diamond Oval in Kimberley, but their hosts, who are just a point adrift in the standings, will also have an eye on the number two spot. – Sapa