The North West Dragons and Lions clash in a massive CSA Division 1 One Day Cup match at the J.B. Marks Oval on Friday, 20 October at 13:00.
The Dragons come into this home game in good spirits after picking up key victories against the Tuskers by 20 runs (D/L method) and Titans by 8 wickets away from home.
This match against the Lions also presents the Dragons with a slim chance to stay in the running for a final spot in the competition.
The top two teams qualify for the final.
The Dragons are currently in third position on 13 points, five points behind the Warriors on 18 points. The Dragons will need to beat the Lions and hope that the Warriors lose against Boland in order for them to have a chance of making a final.
Besides the ramifications of title chances, both teams will also play for bragging rights under lights in this traditional rivalry between the Lions and the Dragons.
“Lions vs North West will always be a big game. We are expecting them to come with good skills, because there is always a bit of past wounds that will be opened. We can expect a banger on Friday. We just need to keep it simple and stick to our processes,” stated North West Dragons head coach, Craig Alexander.
The Lions have loads of talent and experience with Ryan Rickelton, Mitchell van Buuren, Wiaan Mulder, Malusi Siboto and Bjorn Fortuin all match winners on their day.
The Dragons can also rely on batsmen in terrific form with Lesego Senokwane, Meeka-eel Prince and Raynard van Tonder having scored centuries this season. Wihan Lubbe and Senuran Muthusamy also form the backbone of a solid middle order.
The Dragons delivered their most complete performance this season when they thrashed the Titans last week Friday. According to Alexander, it was a team effort, where the bowlers and fielding stepped up, before the batsmen finished the job.
“In the first three games the batters stood up, but in the game against the Titans the bowlers stood up on a flat wicket. The bowlers pulled us through and the batters just showed us how flat the wicket really was.
Our fielding improved with Hlompho Modimokoane getting that first run-out. We work hard every single day and we don’t take any team or facet of the game for granted. We know what we are working towards,” mentioned Alexander.
Tickets for the match between the North West Dragons and Lions are available on ticketpros.co.za or at the stadium.
Tickets are R 40 for adults and free for scholars and students.
*There will also be a six-catching competition. Catching a ball with one hand gives spectators a chance to win their share of R 10 000.
