No place like home for Lions
ILLOVO - Bizhub Highveld Lions skipper Stephen Cook is confident ahead of the resumption of the Sunfoil Series.
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Cook believes that a return to the familiar surrounds of the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium will spur the Lions to better all-round performances in the second half of the series.
The Lions’ two home games thus far were played at Senwes Park, but they will return to their spiritual home on Thursday with a game against local rivals, The Unlimited Titans.
Cook’s side will have another two games at the Bullring in the competition’s run-in, which he hopes will lead to more individuals contributing in each match.
“We probably haven’t had enough guys coming to the party – we’ve had three or four guys every game having a good game, but not everyone contributing at the same time,” said Cook.
“I think if it clicks, then we could come really good. The log seems pretty close and we have three home games in the next five, all at the Wanderers, which the guys know well.”
The Lions will wait to see if wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile is released from Proteas duty before deciding on the make-up and balance of their side.
The home side could find themselves up against a returning Marchant de Lange. The Titans fast bowler has paced his recovery from injury after struggling with a side strain for most of the season, but captain Henry Davids confirmed that De Lange will be in the frame for Thursday’s match.
“Marchant is fit – he bowled very quickly today and was very unpleasant to face in the nets,” said Davids. “For him it’s just a case of getting back into it nice and slowly. We don’t want to push him too quickly. The wicket in Kimberley didn’t suit him but we’ll see what the wicket is like at the Wanderers and pick our team accordingly.”
The match takes place from the 20 and 23 February at the Wanderers Stadium.