Such has been the unpredictability of the Momentum One Day Cup this season that the competition remains very open with four rounds of matches to be played before the completion of the round robin stage.
The Lions could move three places up on the ladder to second if they beat current log-leaders Dolphins in their clash scheduled for Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Wednesday afternoon.
Cach Geoffrey Toyana said the unpredictability of the competition gives his Lions side a fair chance of maximum points against the Dolphins who will stretch their lead at the top of the pile with an away victory.
“The way the competition has gone‚ we have seen that any team can beat any team‚" Toyana said.
"It’s just the way that it’s been and we have 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."
- Smuts bats Warriors to memorable‚ bonus-point win with swashbuckling unbeaten centuryWarriors opening batsman Jon-Jon Smuts scored a magnificent unbeaten century during their 90-runs bonus point win over the Cobras to help the Eastern Cape-based side to second spot on the Momentum One Day Cup standings on Sunday afternoon.
The previous meeting between the two sides in the competition went the way of the Dolphins after they won by 27 runs and the Durbanites have been bolstered by the availability of Proteas stars Imran Tahir and Andile Phehlukwayo.
On the other hand‚ Toyana has fast bowler Dwaine Pretorius available for the remainder of the season after also returning from national duty with the Proteas.
“I think the key for us will be to play the ball and not the man.
"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 said of the Dolphins team.
- Dolphins stay top of Momentum ODI log despite their washed out clash against WarriorsDolphins and Warriors were awarded two points each after their washed out Momentum One Day Cup match was declared a no result at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on Friday night.
Visiting coach Grant Morgan is pleased that he finally has a full-strength team available for selection after being beset by injuries earlier in the season.
“The balance and strength of our side means that we can adjust to different conditions a bit easier than we did in the T20 campaign as we were understaffed with a number of injuries to bowlers‚” he added.
“We had 15 guys in the change room on Friday night last week all really keen to play‚ which is a healthy situation to be in. It’s great for us that we have everyone fit and raring to go.”
This week’s Momentum One Day Cup Fixtures
Wednesday‚ March 15:
Lions v Dolphins (Potchefstroom‚ 2pm)
Friday‚ March 17:
Lions v Titans (Wanderers Stadium‚ 2pm); Warriors v Knights (St George's Park‚ 2pm)
Sunday‚ March 19:
Cape Cobras v Knights (Newlands‚ 9am); Dolphins v Titans (Kingsmead‚ 9am) - TMG Digital
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