Two wins from their final matches could see the Warriors make history with a first-ever Sunfoil Series title.
A potentially season-defining match is on the cards at Buffalo Park from 10am today as the Warriors take on the Knights over the next four days. With two blockbuster matches taking place over the next four days.
The top-of-the-log Warriors are just under a point ahead of the second-placed Cobras, and under four points ahead of the third-placed defending champions Knights, and just under six points ahead of the fourth-placed Titans. So with the Cobras also taking on the Titans, in Paarl, the log could see a big shake-up come Sunday.
“If there is a result from this game I do think the winner will be in the prime position to take the title,” said Warriors captain, Jon-Jon Smuts. “If you look at the other game happening, the Cobras playing the Titans, so if there is a result in our game and that game’s a draw, I think whoever wins will take quite a nice lead into the last round of matches.”
The Warriors will be motivated by the fact that this is the first time they have found themselves in contention for the title.
“It is great that we have put ourselves in a position to challenge for the four-day trophy after so many years,” said Warriors interim coach Rivash Gobind.
“I think we have finished last for the last five years, so for us to be in this position going into the last two games is something that we are not taking for granted,” said Gobind.
After starting the competition with five draws during the first half of the competition, the Warriors have seen three outright results in the second half – two wins, both at Buffalo Park, as well as a loss in Port Elizabeth. So the team will be eager to make it three in a row at Buffalo Park where the Lions and the Titans were vanquished.
“The conditions at Buffalo Park have been fantastic – they have been good cricket wickets and suited our style of play,” explained Gobind. “Coming up against the Knights, they are the defending champions so they know what it takes to win this trophy, so it should be a great four days. We have to be at our best to beat them.”
The Knights head into the match having not won a Sunfoil Series match yet with eight draws to their name so far this season, so they will also be looking to pick up their first win.
“There have been results in East London so I think it’s going to be a very exciting game,” said Knights coach Nicky Boje. “We are ready for it, we’ve prepared well and we’re confident.”
One of the key aspects of the Warriors’ success has been their bowling department which has fired on all cylinders in the last three games and they should continue to play an important role again in this match.
However, a number of players have put in big contributions when needed, making for a really good vibe in the camp.
“I think what we have done well in these three games in the last half of the Sunfoil Series, we have always needed someone to try and make something happen in the game or take responsibility and someone has done that, so hopefully that trend continues in the last two games,” claimed Gobind.
“I think the way we have bowled in the last few games has been really good. Tladi Bokako has done well for us and Simon Harmer, being the leading wicket-taker in the competition, is a massive plus, so we will be looking to them for two more big performances.”