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Cape Town - The Cape Cobras and bizhub Highveld Lions are set to clash in the Momentum One-Day Cup Final at PPC Newlands on Sunday.
The hosts earned a direct route to the final after an excellent regular season, which saw them top the table by virtue of winning seven out of 10 games, including five with bonus points.
Coach Paul Adams acknowledged that this, along with a few other factors, do make them favourites for the title.
“We are playing at home and we have been playing very good cricket, so we will bring that confidence to the final,” he said. “We’ve had some time off away from the game, before regrouping again this week.
“It’s been all about preparing and gearing ourselves up for this big game. Now we’re ready for it.”
The Cape side have named a similar squad to the one that has served them so well throughout the competition, with Richard Levi’s inclusion giving them further batting strength.
Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana, whose side ended the regular season second on the table, has confirmed he is still sweating over the fitness of Temba Bavuma (back) and Eddie Leie (hamstring).
Both are likely to miss out, though, having also missed the Qualifier against the Warriors in midweek.
Toyana said they were all looking forward to the game. “We’re very excited ahead of the final,” he said. “There’s obviously some areas we need to improve on, but overall I think we’re in good shape ahead of Sunday.
“It’s a big game, it’s a final; it’s the home of the Cape Cobras. We lost to them away a few weeks ago, even though that was in Paarl, but we also beat them at home this season. So we’re expecting a mouth-watering affair.”
The Lions have a wretched head-to-head record against the Cobras, winning just six out of 25 meetings, but Toyana feels it is an unfair reflection of his side.
“To be fair, ever since I’ve take over as coach (in 2012) it’s been much closer, probably a split four and four over eight games,” he added. “Games between the two are always competitive.”
The Lions last won the title when they shared it with the Cobras back in 2012/13. However, their last outright title was way back in 2003/04.
HEAD TO HEAD – Cape Cobras v bizhub Highveld Lions
Matches Played 25
Cobras Win 15
Lions Win 06
No Result 04
