Johannesburg – Titans captain Henry Davids says his side are targeting two wins in a row in the domestic one-day series, with their first assignment against the Cobras at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday.
“The guys are amped to do well. We need a win and the guys are keen for a result against the Cobras,” said Davids on Thursday.
With two games in three days Ä the second a match against the Warriors in Port Elizabeth on Sunday Ä there would be an opportunity for the Titans to improve on their bottom of the log position, having earned zero points from three games.
“It would be good to go into the season break with two wins. I think we need to win six out of the last seven games.”
The Titans lost their first 50-over game of the season having made 340 for six batting first against the Dolphins in Centurion. In their second match, they came up well short of the 261 needed for victory against the Lions at the Wanderers, eventually falling to a 38 run defeat.
Their result in Benoni last weekend was especially difficult to bear for the Titans after the match was called off after 19 overs. The pitch was deemed too dangerous for play to continue and the visiting Knights were awarded the points.
“It was worse than a loss,” Davids said.
“We've played two games which we should've won if we had just played at 80 percent of what we're capable of.”
The Titans needed to stick to the basics to produce the results, he said.
“We just need to build partnerships with the bat to get a good solid foundation.
“We'll need to concentrate on our game and try and perform to the best of our ability.”
Sunday's game against the Warriors would be just as vital and the team needed to get a positive result.
“Every game is a big game for us at the moment if we want to reach the semi-finals.
“It would be nice to get a win in PE on Sunday and nice to get that win away, in conditions we're not used to.”
While Davids made scores of just five and one in the first two games of the competition, it was his top-scoring knock of 25
lasting 43 balls on a virtually unplayable pitch in Benoni that gave the opening batsman confidence.
“Especially on a tricky wicket, there's nothing better than time in the middle.
“I've been batting well since the beginning of the season Ä it was just the first two games where I got out early. It's not dire straits, I know I'm batting well and it will just be about getting time in the middle and the runs will come.”
Also on Friday, the Lions host the Dolphins in Potchefstroom. Veteran Lions player Neil McKenzie said it would be vital for the Lions to contain Dolphins opener Morne van Wyk who had amassed 311
runs in his four outings with just one dismissal.
“It doesn't matter what kind of form Morne is in, he's quite fancied the Lions over the last couple of years,” said McKenzie.
“I'd hate to look at his stats against the Lions, we prefer it when he's out. He's a quality player and has been one of the best opening batters in the domestic game over the last eight or nine years.”
The bowling options for the Lions would be increased with the return from injury of Chris Morris, according to McKenzie.
“We've got Chris coming back from injury, it will just be about where we fit him in. He's an integral part of our team.”
The Lions were placed third on 10 points, nine points behind the table-topping Cobras going into the weekend, and two wins were high on the agenda said McKenzie.
“It's a big weekend for us. We obviously want to finish one or two on the log before the break.”
In the other game on Friday, the Warriors host the Knights in East London.
On Sunday, the Cobras take on the Dolphins in Durban while the Knights welcome the Lions in Bloemfontein. – Sapa