JOHANNESBURG - The Lions, who currently sit at the bottom of the Momentum One-Day Cup table, go into Wednesday’s match against the log-leading Dolphins knowing that only a win will do.
The Lions are defending champions, but they are languishing second last on the table, though veteran spinner Aaron Phangiso says it is not time to panic just yet.
“We are only a point behind the two teams ahead of us, and we have only played six games thus far,” Phangiso noted.
“Our goal is to make it to the playoffs, and then to defend our title,” the Proteas spinner added.
In front of them stand the Dolphins, a side at the other end of the table, and already looking to make reservations for a place in the final. The Durbanites have played an extra game on the Lions, and Phangiso admitted that they have been playing good cricket.
“They are a good team, and they are obviously close to a home final now. But we are just focussed on what we need to do, and that is to win at least two of our next few games.”
The run-friendly conditions in Potchefstroom will encourage a Lions’
top-order that has foundform and confidence of late, with Reeza Hendricks and Dom Hendricks both catching fire. Importantly, the Lions have also welcomed back ODI star Dwaine Pretorius for the business end of the competition. He will lock horns with fellow Proteas Andile Phehlukwayo and Imran Tahir.
“I think the key for us will be to play the ball and not the man,” coach Geoff Toyana said of the high-profile names on display.
“We just need to make sure we compete. If you look at their side, they have some quality players there, with some very good internationals as well. But we also have a good team with internationals, so I'm expecting a good game.”
Toyana, much like Phangiso, is excited about the final stages of the competition, and insists that every team can beat any other on its day.
“The way the competition has gone, we’ve seen that any team can beat any team. It’s just the way that it’s been and we’ve seen a team win by a bonus point one week and then the next week they are beaten by a bonus point. So it’s very open and it also means we have a chance.”
Phangiso added that it was a huge week for the Lions, what with a Jukskei derby looming large on Friday night, at the Bullring. By the time the Lions get there, they could be right in the thick of things again, should they get the better of a very determined Dolphins unit.
“It’s a really big week for us, but we can’t look past the Dolphins.
We need to play well to beat them, but we are confident that our young players are stepping up, and we as the senior guys are also ready to deliver,” the left-arm spinner maintained.
For the Dolphins, one more win may be enough to confirm a final in Durban, but only if a complex set of results go their way. The best way to confirm their place in a home final is by beating the Lions,
and then doing the same to the Titans come Sunday, in Durban.
By all accounts, then, it is a massive week, on both sides of the table. For now, all eyes are on Potch, and a pitch that is expected to deliver plenty of runs.
Play in Potchesfstroom starts at 2pm, with the broadcast on Supersport 2 from 1:50pm.