Young quick, Kagiso Rabada, will make his first RAM SLAM T20 appearance this season as the bizhub Highveld Lions attempt to arrest their flagging form in the crucial last week of the competition.
Rabada has been allowed to rest by the Lions since he returned from representing the Proteas in a T20 series in Australia earlier this month, but will come back in for Friday’s clash against The Unlimited Titans at Senwes Park.
After winning their first five games in the tournament, the Lions have lost their last two and have surrendered first place in the standings.
“We’ve had two bad games, and it’s up to us to try and just win one more to make sure that we regain that momentum and finish well in the competition,” coach, Geoffrey Toyana, said. “All the other teams are getting closer so it’s a big weekend for us.”
One other change to the side will see Alviro Petersen replaced by Rassie van der Dussen, who notched up an impressive half-century in one of the two games in which he stood in for an injured Chris Gayle.
The Titans’ form has been a reversal of the Lions - they lost their opening five games but have two wins and a tie from their last three. That has kept them in with an unlikely shot at the playoffs, and fast bowler Ethy Mbhalati and wicketkeeper-batsman Heino Kuhn have been recalled to the squad for the game against the Lions.
“We’ve got a bit of momentum after winning two out of three, and I’m just happy that we’re starting to play the sort of cricket that we’re capable of,” coach, Rob Walter, said. “It’s probably a bit late in the piece but hopefully it can continue.”
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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