From Phiri to Klaasen: Five Players to watch during Titans v Dolphins
T20 CHALLENGE
Gomolemo Phiri has burst onto the CSA T20 Challenge scene with two half-centuries in four innings, marking him as one of the Dolphins’ most exciting emerging talents. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
The Dolphins will travel to Pretoria to take on the Titans at SuperSport Park on Friday in the Cricket South Africa T20 Challenge. Here, Ongama Gcwabe highlights five players to watch in the fixture.
Gomolemo Phiri – Dolphins
Every season, the CSA T20 Challenge provides a stage for young cricketers to showcase their skills. Phiri is such a talent this season, having burst onto the scene with a half-century on debut at Kingsmead. The youngster has all the shots in the book and the temperament to execute them against quality bowlers. Phiri has scored two half-tons in four innings and will be one to watch at SuperSport Park.
Heinrich Klaasen – Titans
Last week, the former Proteas wicketkeeper-batter returned to domestic cricket for the first time this season and immediately showed great form as he took apart the North West Dragons attack at the JB Marks Oval. The explosive batter smashed three sixes and three fours in his 31-ball fifty-three, helping the Titans secure their second victory of the season. The experienced batter will be key for the Titans on Friday as they look to turn their season around after a difficult campaign thus far.
Eathan Bosch – Dolphins
Bosch currently sits in third place on the tournament’s leading wicket-takers list with nine wickets, only one behind Keith Dudgeon at the top. The right-arm seamer will pose a significant threat with the new ball at the pace-friendly SuperSport Park. Given the Titans’ struggles this season, Bosch will back himself to get the job done for the Dolphins.
Andile Phehlukwayo of the Titans. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Andile Phehlukwayo – Titans
Phehlukwayo seems to have earned the trust of Titans coach Rivash Gobind. The left-handed batter has always had potential, and this season he appears to have found his rhythm, smashing forty-three off twenty-nine while opening the batting against the North West Dragons last week. He will be crucial for the Titans in the first powerplay.
Jon-Jon Smuts – Dolphins
Smuts has had an appetite for big fixtures since the early days of his career, and there are few challenges bigger than facing the Titans in their own backyard. The all-rounder is yet to set the tournament alight with the bat, although this could be the fixture where he finally breaks through. With the ball, his slow left-arm orthodox has been influential for the Dolphins, taking five wickets in five games, with best figures of two for eleven in their recent outing at Newlands last Sunday.