Dragons gear up for massive home clash against Lions
After a successful One Day Cup campaign this season, where they finished runners-up, the Dragons will want to go one better and possibly end the season on a high note with a title win.
Excitement is fever pitch in the North West Dragons camp ahead of their CSA T20 Challenge campaign that will officially start this Friday, 8 March.
The Auto Investments NW Dragons’ will play two matches over the course of three days, starting against the Titans in an away game on Friday before facing the Lions in their first home game at the J.B. Marks Oval on Sunday, 10 March.
Senuran Muthusamy will captain the Dragons in this jampacked competition that will stretch from March till the end of April.
The Dragons’ are a well-balanced side with numerous all-rounders who can change a game with bat or ball. Muthusamy has the knack of scoring crucial runs in the middle order, whilst his economical bowling is also a big plus.
Ruan de Swardt and Raynard van Tonder are also back in the Dragons setup after recently touring New Zealand with the Proteas.
All-rounder, Migael Pretorius, will also want to continue his good form with bat and ball in the exciting T20-format. Bamanye Xenxe, last season’s player of the T20 Challenge, will want to show his worth in the colours of the Dragons.
Historically, the Dragons have always been competitive in the T20 format. After a successful One Day Cup campaign this season, where they finished runners-up, the Dragons will want to go one better and possibly end the season on a high note with a title win.
NW Dragons head coach, Craig Alexander, stated that both the Titans and Lions games will be tough, but will provide his team with the right challenge from the onset.
“Both teams will be star-studded with Proteas being eligible to play. We look forward to taking on the Titans away, as we beat them previously in the One Day Cup. They will know that we can’t be underestimated,” stated Alexander.
He emphasised that getting a win at home against the Lions on Sunday, will go a long way to the Dragons establishing their superiority on their home turf.
“We expect a good crowd to come in on Sunday to support the Dragons. It will be a massive game. We are confident of playing our best cricket and improving game by game,” he added.
The format of this year’s T20 Challenge will see teams face one another in home and away fixtures. The top 4 teams will progress to the semi-finals, with the final set for 28 April.
*The North West Dragons match against the Lions at the J.B. Marks Oval will start on Sunday (10 March) at 14:00. *Gates open at 12:00. * Tickets can be purchased from Ticketpros.co.za and from the stadium. * Prices: Adults: R40, Students: R20 and children under 18/pensioners: R10.
