BETWAY SA20 STARS KEY TO WHO WINS CSA T20 CHALLENGE FINAL

Lions coach Russell Domingo believes his “big names” will be the difference in the CSA T20 Challenge final against the Dolphins at the Wanderers on Sunday.

Domingo, who also doubles as batting coach of the Betway SA20 double champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape, is blessed with an SA20 star-laden squad.

Ryan Rickelton (MI Cape Town); Reeza Hendricks (Joburg Super Kings); Temba Bavuma (Sunrisers Eastern Cape); Rassie van der Dussen (MI Cape Town); Mitchell van Buuren (Paarl Royals); Wiaan Mulder (Durban's Super Giants); Evan Jones (Paarl Royals); Bjorn Fortuin (Paarl Royals ); Codi Yusuf (Paarl Royals); Connor Esterhuizen (MI Cape Town); Nqaba Peter (Paarl Royals) and Delano Potgieter (MI Cape Town) all form part of this formidable Lions outfit that finished top of the log after the group stages before steamrolling their arch-rivals, the Titans, in the semi-final by eight wickets.

Individually, a host of these stars have also made a major impact in the lead-up to the final.

SA20’s leading run-scorer Ryan Rickelton (423 runs) transferred his form to the CSA T20 Challenge by passing the 400-run barrier again, while Reeza Hendricks (367) and Rassie van der Dussen (325) are not far behind.

Young leg-spinner Peter has been the revelation of the competition with 19 wickets, while captain Fortuin has 15 and Yusuf 14 apiece.

And even despite limited opportunities, Potgieter leads the batting strike-rate charts at 195.34.

It is this heavy artillery that Domingo expects to stand up in the showpiece.

“You want your big names to perform in the big games and we will have to be close to our best to beat the Dolphins,” Domingo said.

“But the big names are the guys who know under pressure that you don’t have to play 100% perfect cricket, you just need to play solid, do the basics really well, and stay calm and disciplined.”

Domingo is also backing Bavuma to shine when the lights are at its brightest in the final after a relatively quiet campaign thus far that has yielded 164 runs, at an average of 23.42 and a strike rate of 120.58, with a highest score of 53 not out.

But Bavuma famously struck a match-winning 104 off 63 balls in the 2019 final against the Warriors at the very same Bullring and Domingo is confident the former Proteas T20 captain can deliver a repeat performance.

“Temba is playing well,” he said. “I can see a big score just around the corner for him.”

Meanwhile, Dolphins coach Imraan Khan readily admits his team - who have nine SA20 players among the 15-strong squad for the final - are the underdogs but feels their experience of playing numerous major finals in the last few years will help them stand up to the challenge.

“The Lions are a hell of a good side. I think they've played good cricket the whole season, and in particular in this T20 competition,” Khan said.

“But in terms of T20 cricket and what this group of players have done over the last couple of years, it's been phenomenal. I believe this is our fourth final in four consecutive seasons.

“I believe we've also played good cricket in this T20 competition. We’ve played really nice cricket away from home and this is another opportunity for us to do the basics really well. 

“And hopefully if we are able to execute the basics well, that will put us in a good place to get the result that we want.”

SQUADS FOR THE CSA T20 CHALLENGE FINAL

Lions

Bjorn Fortuin (captain - Paarl Royals), Temba Bavuma (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Junaid Dawood, Connor Esterhuizen (MI Cape Town), Zubayr Hamza, Reeza Hendricks (Joburg Super Kings), Evan Jones (Paarl Royals), Tshepo Moreki, Wiaan Mulder (Durban's Super Giants), Nqaba Peter (Paarl Royals), Delano Potgieter (MI Cape Town), Ryan Rickelton (MI Cape Town), Lutho Sipamla, Rassie van der Dussen (MI Cape Town), Mitchell van Buuren (Paarl Royals), Codi Yusuf (Paarl Royals).

Dolphins

Prenelan Subrayen (captain - Durban's Super Giants), Marques Ackerman, Eathan Bosch (Pretoria Capitals), Okuhle Cele, Tshepang Dithole, Daryn Dupavillon (Pretoria Capitals), Tristan Luus, Bryce Parsons (Durban's Super Giants), Andile Phehlukwayo (Paarl Royals), Brad Porteous, Grant Roelofsen (MI Cape Town), Andile Simelane (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Jason Smith (Durban's Super Giants), Jon-Jon Smuts (Durban's Super Giants), Khaya Zondo.