T20 Challenge: Who will come out on top?

Johannesburg - The Warriors and Multiply Titans will face off in the T20 Challenge final at SuperSport Park on Friday night and Stuart Hess profiled the sides ahead of the all important clash.

Titans

Strengths:

The power and experience of their middle order. One of Farhaan Behardien, David Wiese or Albie Morkel is going to get at your attack - heaven help you if it’s all three. Usually this season it’s been Behardien who has reminded everyone of his composed ‘finishing’ skills. His strike rate of 192.65 is the highest among batsmen who’ve scored at least 200 runs in this season’s competition.

Weaknesses:

They’re a clever bowling unit, but not one that’s particularly threatening and if the Warriors can get at Morkel or Wiese early it will place pressure on Lungi Ngidi, Malusi Siboto and Junior Dala, who they targeted when the teams met at SuperSport Park two weeks ago and which the Warriors ended up winning.

Danger Man:

Farhaan Behardien (pictured)

Almost single-handedly won the final league match against the Warriors that determined which team would host the final. Mixes clever placement, good running between the wickets and power down the ground - especially - to touch up bowlers at the end of the innings. His methods have been clear and his execution, precise.

Warriors

Strengths:

Their top order batting has been outstanding this tournament led by JJ Smuts, with backing from Colin Ingram and Colin Ackerman. The bruising power of Christiaan Jonker adds substance in the middle order.

Weaknesses:

Andrew Birch took 5/17 on his last visit to SuperSport Park propelling his total to 17 wickets for the competition, second only to Hardus Viljoen (19) and yet Birch wasn’t picked in PE for the play-off game. That pitch was more suited to spinners but tonight’s one may not be. If Birch doesn’t play, the Warriors lack potency and control with the ball and that powerful Titans batting order will smash them.

Danger Man:

JJ Smuts

The tournament’s leading run-scorer - and one of just two centurions this season - he has been prodigious in the opening spot. Only the Highveld Lions’ Rassie van der Dussen has hit more sixes - 22 to Smuts’ 21 - indicative of how the Warriors’ skipper has taken advantage of the PowerPlay.