Saturday, 03 December 2011
Chevrolet Park in Bloemfontein is the scene for the 1-Day Cup Playoff between the Chevrolet Knights and the Chevrolet Warriors on Sunday. The teams were separated by only two points after the round-robin phase of the competition, with the Knights finishing in second place and the Warriors in third, a very small margin that will be separated in tomorrow’s crunch match.
Dean Elgar is currently the Knights’ leading run-scorer with 478 runs at an average of 68.28 and Dillon du Preez tops the wickets tally with 19 scalps, but coach, Sarel Cilliers, believes statistics count for nothing on the day.
“We have had a really good competition from a team point of view,” said Cilliers. “Dean (Elgar) and Dillion (du Preez) have been superb with the bat and ball but there has always been a standout player that has won the game for us throughout the competition.
“Dillon got us through the match against the Titans last weekend but we have had Rilee (Rossouw), Morne van Wyk, Johan van der Wath and our youngster, Malusi Siboto coming in with crucial performances when the team has been in need. We go into tomorrow’s match with a clean slate and it is up to anybody to put their hand up.”
Although the competition format has been changed, the Knights are technically the limited overs defending champions after winning the 40-over competition last season. Chevrolet Park is a traditionally high-scoring ground with a big outfield, and with each team sporting inform batsmen, a high-scoring encounter can be expected.
The winner of the match will play the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras at Sahara Park Newlands on Friday 9 December.
Match Officials
Match Referee :Tiefie Barnes
On Field Umpires :Earl Hendrikse and Dennis Smith
TV Umpire :Adrian Holdstock
4th Umpire :Wessie Westraadt