The Wanderers and Centurion are gearing up for a double dose of SA20 action on Saturday.
The table-topping Joburg Super Kings will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run when they host the second-placed Sunrisers Eastern Cape (1pm), while the Pretoria Capitals will be keen to maintain their momentum against Durban’s Super Giants (5:30pm).
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JSK are certainly full of confidence after a thrilling Super Over victory over DSG on New Year’s Day.
“These are probably more important for a campaign, you don’t want easy wins each game, they’re great,” said Super Kings bowling hero Richard Gleeson.
“It’s moments like these where you’re under pressure, where you have to fall back on your skills, it gives you great confidence going forward as a bowler. There’s no reason why we can’t keep going at the Wanderers, we’re one from one, 100% record, so hopefully we can keep it intact.
“It’ll be a different opponent, different conditions, so I think every game we’ll try and adapt and try and communicate well, and hopefully we can get a few more wins here.”
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The Sunrisers have collected nine points from three matches but have only played on the coast so far. Coach Adrian Birrell believes his team are well-equipped to prosper on the Highveld, though.
“I think we’ve selected a squad that can play at any venue. There might be changes, we’re anticipating that it might play differently to here [St George’s Park]. We’ve got a squad that we can play anywhere,” Birrell said.
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The Capitals, meanwhile, are relieved to have finally tasted success after a couple of disappointing seasons and having lost their opening two matches of the season.
All-rounder Wihan Lubbe feels this will allow the Capitals to fully express themselves at Centurion.
“I think we’ve played really good cricket in patches, but we haven’t been able to put a nice batting performance together,” he said. “So, firstly, for the batting unit to get a score above 200 on the board is nice.”
In contrast, Durban’s Super Giants will attempt to lift themselves after suffering two defeats to JSK.
“The emotions are still running high,” said Evan Jones. “But we take this game [Super Over defeat] as a good thing. We came quite close.
“But I feel with the experience in our team, if we keep our heads down, play good cricket.
“Play against ourselves, compete against ourselves. And I’m pretty sure the results will take care of themselves.”
Photo: Carl Fourie/SA20
