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Titans have formidable attack
18/04/2008 16:07 - (SA)
Cape Town - Despite the axing of the fiery speed merchant Andre Nel, the Newlands-bound Titans will still field a formidable pace attack in their Pro20 semi-final against reigning champions, the Cape Cobras, on Sunday.
Nel has made way for the two returning Proteas speedsters Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, who arrived back from India earlier this week, together with fellow Titans teammates AB de Villiers and Paul Harris. Steyn and Morkel will be backed up by the in-form new-ball bowler Ethy Mbhalati.
It was the second time this season that Nel has suffered the curse of the selectorial axe after he was dropped from the national side for the Test series against India.
But Nel did not sulk after he was informed about his axing. Instead the seamer packed his bags and flew straight away to England where he turned out for Essex against Northamptonshire on Wednesday.
Some of his baggage had been mislaid, but that did not deter Nel who promptly acquired a pair of boots from Essex's kit shop and four hours after his arrival at Heathrow from Johannesburg, he spearheaded the side's new ball attack.
One person who was not surprised at Nel's zealousness in moments of adversity was Northamptonshire captain Nicky Boje.
Undefeated
"Nelo is Nelo," Boje laughed. "He's always up for a challenge and plays cricket with great enthusiasm."
Nel finished the day with 3/64 in 24 overs, and he might have had a fourth wicket if a catch off Lance Klusener's bat had been held the former Proteas ODI stalwart was on 27. Klusener went to score an undefeated 72 in Northamptonshire's first innings of 280 all out.
Harris has also been given the cold shoulder by the Titans selectors, who opted to retain left-arm spinner Roeloef van der Merwe instead. Van der Merwe also offers an exciting dimension lower down in the Titans' batting order.
Wicketkeeper Heino Kuhn has made way for De Villiers, who has been highly praised by Proteas selection convener Joubert Strydom after his stand-out performances on the recent tour of India.
With De Villiers donning the 'keeper's gloves, the Titans have the luxury of an extra bowler or batsman in their semi-final line-up.
The Titans may not have had the best of runs against the Cobras in domestic competition this season but could change on Sunday.
The Cape fans will be particularly keen to see the world-class Steyn in action after he decided that he'll follow his heart to the Mother City next season. Steyn who will join the Cobras next season has been lured south by his girlfriend, Cape Town model Jeanne Keitzmann.
The Titans' 12-man squad for Sunday's Pro20 semi-final (start 2.30pm) against the Cobras, reads as follows: Pierre Joubert (captain), Morne Morkel, Roelof van der Merwe, Farhaan Behardien, Aaron Phangiso, Ethy Mbhalati, Francois du Plessis, AB de Villiers, Albie Morkel, Gulam Bodi, Dale Steyn and Brendon Reddy.
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Rugby
