Dive into the epic opener of the Momentum One Day Cup as the bizhub Highveld Lions take on the Warriors at the legendary Wanderers stadium.
Fresh off the Ram Slam T20 Challenge, the Momentum One Day Cup bursts into life with an exciting face-off between the bizhub Highveld Lions and the Warriors at the Wanderers on Wednesday.
Both teams missed out on the T20 semi-finals, and now they’re determined to make a strong statement in this List A competition.
Match Details:
Lions vs Warriors | Wednesday 20 December | The Wanderers, Johannesburg | 13:00
Match Odds – To Win
Lions 67/100 | Tie 35/1 | Warriors 5/4
bizhub Highveld Lions
The Lions will be itching to bounce back after missing out on T20 playoffs. Fortunately, their squad remains potent, with star players Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks ready to lead the charge in the 50-over contest.
Coach Geoffrey Toyana hopes for more runs from wicket-keeper Mangaliso Mosehle, who dazzles behind the stumps but needs to convert starts with the bat. While his List A average of 22.40 is respectable, only one century and seven fifties in 103 matches hint at a player looking to consistently score big.
The Lions are blessed with top all-rounders like Wiaan Mulder and Dwaine Pretorius, both capable batsmen and reliable bowlers, forming a formidable dual threat.
Stephen Cook returns to the one-day side, favouring longer formats, and is expected to anchor the innings as Hendricks and van der Dussen play their elegant attacking roles.
The bowling attack looks sharp, spearheaded by Hardus Viljoen and Beuran Hendricks, with support from Aaron Phangiso, Aya Myoli, Bjorn Fontuin, and all-rounders Mulder and Pretorius. This balanced unit could be the team to beat in the tournament, notably with the Titans missing key Protea stars.
Warriors
Last season’s runners-up, the Warriors, face an uphill battle to defend their spot. Many players who shone previously are struggling for form this term.
Jon-Jon Smuts, a key batting all-rounder, has yet to find his rhythm after a disappointing T20 season. His return to form is critical for the Warriors’ play-off aspirations.
The Warriors will miss Colin Ingram, who recently signed with the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash. His absence puts the onus on Smuts and Colin Ackermann to provide solidity at the top of the order.
Bowling-wise, their prospects are challenging. Andrew Birch remains their strike bowler and led the wickets tally in the Ram Slam T20, supported by Smuts, but this attack might struggle to dismantle strong batting line-ups and could face difficulty in consistently defending totals.
Despite this, the Warriors thrive on the underdog spirit and can spring surprises, especially on home grounds in Port Elizabeth and East London.
Final Verdict: bizhub Highveld Lions 67/100
The Lions narrowly lost a chance at T20 semi-finals due to weather disruptions but are equipped with one of the strongest batting line-ups. Expect them to start the Momentum One Day Cup with a convincing win over the tenacious Warriors in Johannesburg.
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