Final likely to be a thriller
24/04/2008 16:18  - (SA)  

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Big guns back for Pro20 final Pollock accepts ODI trophy Smit the man of many parts

Johannesburg - The domestic cricket season comes to an end on Friday when the Dolphins take on the Titans in what is likely to be a closely-fought Standard Bank Pro20 final at Kingsmead in Durban.

Both sides suffered a few hiccups on their way to the semi-finals, but bounced back to get into the last four.

The Dolphins held their nerve to beat the Diamond Eagles by five wickets in Durban, with superb fielding by the Dolphins and some reckless play by the Eagles a feature of the match.

The Titans travelled to Cape Town to meet the Cape Cobras, who were unbeaten during the league section of the competition. The match lived up to the Pro20 promise of excitement, with the outcome in doubt right up to the last over, but the Titans managed to snatch a nervous six-run victory.

The Titans were boosted in the semi-final by the addition of Proteas players AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, but it was young Roelof van der Merwe who shone for the side, taking two wickets with successive deliveries off the last two balls of the innings to prevent the Cobras from reaching the final.

Very effective

The Dolphins were also boosted for the semi-final by the return of Protea Hashim Amla, who made 34 but it was the new ball partnership of Johann Louw and Yusuf Abdullah who did the most damage for the Dolphins and which has been very effective for the Dolphins throughout the competition, as they frequently made early breakthroughs to put the pressure on the other side.

While the Dolphins have home advantage, the Titans have the advantage of having won a final this year, beating the Warriors by 38 runs to take the MTN Domestic title. With Steyn and Morkel teaming up with Ethy Mbhalati and Albie Morkel, they have a world-class attack, ably supported by Van der Merwe and fellow spin bowler Faf du Plessis.

The weather forecast for Durban on Friday is fine and warm, with a gentle to moderate breeze.

Teams

Dolphins - (from) Yusuf Abdullah, Ahmed Amla, Hashim Amla, Pierre de Bruyn, Jon Kent, Imraan Khan, Johann Louw, David Miller, Saidi Mlongo, Grant Rowley, Darryn Smit, Alfonso Thomas, Morne van der Merwe

Titans - (from) Pierre Joubert (c), Morne Morkel, Roelof van der Merwe, Farhaan Behardien, Aaron Phangiso, Ethy Mbhalati, Francois du Plessis, AB de Villiers, Albie Morkel, Gulam Bodi, Dale Steyn, Brendon Reddy, Heino Kuhn.

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