Bowlers beware!

Herschelle Gibbs, Loots Bosman and Albie Morkel are among the most dynamic power hitters in modern day cricket.

And their availability for the first week of the Pro20 competition could give their franchises an enormous fillip in their bid to reach the semi-final round.

These limited overs specialists only leave for India for the ODI series there in the second week of February.

Getting to the semi-finals is only half of the battle. The contest will go up a serious notch for the knock-out phase for two reasons. The one is that the national players will have returned from India by then and the second is that there is so much at stake that pressure is capable of getting to even the most experienced and taciturn.

Last season the Dolphins and the Warriors had home ground advantage for the knock-out phase when it came to a third leg, yet it was the two visiting teams - the Cape Cobras and the Diamond Eagles that made it through to the final.

And to get to the final both victors not only had to go to a third leg but also to a sudden death power over.

The end prize is not just the prestigious trophy but also qualification for the two finalists for the Champions' League in India.

This tournament which showcases the best domestic Pro20 teams from around the world brings potential prize money to the South African franchises that is not obtainable on the domestic cricket scene and also opens the door to the talent scouts of the various Indian Premier League franchises.

The Warriors won the first domestic showpiece of the South African season when they beat the Dolphins to the MTN40 title last Friday while the Cape Cobras are the current front runners for the four-day Supersport Series title.

But it is safe to say that there is no favourite for the Pro20 title.

Over the last two years it has produced four different finalists and the competition is going to be as volatile and unpredictable as ever this time around.

Fixtures for this week:

Wednesday, February 3: day/night: Dolphins v Titans, Kingsmead

Friday, February 5: day/night: Cobras v Lions, Newlands; Warriors v Diamond Eagles, Buffalo Park

Sunday, February 7: day: Dolphins v Warriors, Kingsmead; Titans v Cobras, SuperSport Park