Knights to fight for playoff spot
by Chumani Bambani,
2016-02-02 06:04:15.0
THE Knights and Dolphins will be holding on tightly to keep their slender hopes of a Momentum 1-Day Cup playoff spot alive when they meet in Kimberley on Tuesday.
The two sides face off in the bottom-of-the-table clash at the Diamond Oval in what could turn out to be a last attempt, especially for the rock-bottom Knights, to stay within reach of the playoffs in the tightly contested domestic 50-overs competition.
Both sides, who have won only two games each out of six, are on the back of weekend defeats. The Dolphins were convincingly beaten by the log-leading Cape Cobras by 68 runs last Friday.
The Knights fell a similarly sized 55 runs short against the Titans.
"We are all scrapping at the bottom," Knights caretaker coach Allan Donald said.
The hosts, however, remain hopeful. "I always have hope. We are sort of in a dark place right now, but we know where we stand," said Donald. "It’s going to be tough, but we just have to concentrate on every single game now."
The Knights will welcome back batsman Reeza Hendricks, who was on national duty for SAA at the weekend. The top-order batsman will replace Diego Rosier, while Dillon du Preez will return to the team in place of the injured Corné Dry.
The Dolphins, who had Proteas David Miller and Imran Tahir in their team in the defeat to the Cobras, will be without the duo, who are now preparing for the one-day series against England.
Lance Klusener’s side will, however, be boosted by the return of Khaya Zondo and Andile Phehlukwayo from the SAA side.
"They are a dangerous side," Donald said of the Dolphins. "We all know teams in that position can find a free spirit to play with. So both sides will be looking for that extra edge and we can’t take them for granted."
The match starts at 2pm.
Reeza Hendricks. Picture: GALLO IMAGES/LEE WARREN
THE Knights and Dolphins will be holding on tightly to keep their slender hopes of a Momentum 1-Day Cup playoff spot alive when they meet in Kimberley on Tuesday.
The two sides face off in the bottom-of-the-table clash at the Diamond Oval in what could turn out to be a last attempt, especially for the rock-bottom Knights, to stay within reach of the playoffs in the tightly contested domestic 50-overs competition.
Both sides, who have won only two games each out of six, are on the back of weekend defeats. The Dolphins were convincingly beaten by the log-leading Cape Cobras by 68 runs last Friday.
The Knights fell a similarly sized 55 runs short against the Titans.
"We are all scrapping at the bottom," Knights caretaker coach Allan Donald said.
The hosts, however, remain hopeful. "I always have hope. We are sort of in a dark place right now, but we know where we stand," said Donald. "It’s going to be tough, but we just have to concentrate on every single game now."
The Knights will welcome back batsman Reeza Hendricks, who was on national duty for SAA at the weekend. The top-order batsman will replace Diego Rosier, while Dillon du Preez will return to the team in place of the injured Corné Dry.
The Dolphins, who had Proteas David Miller and Imran Tahir in their team in the defeat to the Cobras, will be without the duo, who are now preparing for the one-day series against England.
Lance Klusener’s side will, however, be boosted by the return of Khaya Zondo and Andile Phehlukwayo from the SAA side.
"They are a dangerous side," Donald said of the Dolphins. "We all know teams in that position can find a free spirit to play with. So both sides will be looking for that extra edge and we can’t take them for granted."
The match starts at 2pm.
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