The Knights are confident that their captain, Johannes van der Wath, will be fit to play against The Titans in the penultimate round of the Sunfoil Series at SuperSport Park on Thursday, but are likely to make do without Ryan McLaren and Dean Elgar.
Van der Wath has made steady progress after missing the last two four-day games with a hamstring injury, and looks set to lead a side who are putting up a rare challenge for silverware.
However, McLaren and Elgar continue to struggle with injuries picked up on Proteas duty earlier this month.
“Johan bowled this morning and it went well,” said Knights coach Sarel Cilliers. “We just need one final session when we arrive in Pretoria to see if his endurance is up there and if he’s comfortable to bowl 20 overs a day.
“Ryan hasn’t even bowled in the nets yet and is still struggling with his shoulder - he had a scan on Monday and we’re waiting for the report to see where we stand. Dean batted in the nets on Tuesday morning but he’s not 100 per cent fit so we’re going to give him another couple of days.”
Regardless of the availability of his bigger names, Cilliers is confident in the players at his disposal - particularly after they beat the table-topping Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras in their last outing to move within five points of Paul Adams’ team on the Sunfoil Series table.
“I must say some of the young men have put their hands up nicely, so obviously we would like some of the experience and quality of those three guys coming back, but we’re quite comfortable with the young men at the moment,” said Cilliers.
Meanwhile, the Titans will welcome back fast bowler Marchant de Lange following a lengthy injury lay-off. The 23-year-old has not turned out for the Titans since November, but has now played several games for Easterns during a long and steady comeback from a side strain.
“We’ll see the return of Marchant de Lange, so it will be nice to see him back on the park after working really hard to get back,” said Titans coach Rob Walter. “We’ll also be giving a few young guys an opportunity to play so we’ll be looking to see what they have to offer.”
The Titans will hand a debut to 23-year-old all-rounder Ernest Kemm and will field Junior Dala for his second four-day game, while Graeme van Buuren has been ruled out of the match after incurring an injury in the nets on Monday.
HEAD TO HEAD – The Titans vs. Knights
Matches Played - 19
Titans Win - 08
Knights Win - 04
Draw - 07
| MATCH STATS (SUNFOIL SERIES) | THE UNLIMITED TITANS | CHEVROLET KNIGHTS |
| Highest Score | 546/9* (Centurion 2009/2010) | 570/9* (Centurion 2009/2010) |
| Lowest Score | 118 (Bloemfontein 2007/2008) | 89 (Bloemfontein 2007/2008) |
| Highest Individual Score | 192 Jacques Rudolph (Bloemfontein 2009/2010) | 319 Rilee Rossouw (Centurion 2009/2010) |
| Best bowling in a match | 14/110 Dale Steyn (Bloemfontein 2007/2008) | 8/94 Dillon du Preez (Benoni 2012/2013) |
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
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