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Big hitters key to Pro20

Johann de Jager

Bloemfontein – In all three of the matches played in the Pro20-series thus far, the winning runs have been struck off the last delivery.

That means that teams must have a big hitter lower down the batting order.

There are a number of big hitters that can potentially be match-winners in Wednesday’s match between the Knights and Dolphins at the Outsurance Oval.

The home team’s allrounder Johan van der Wath showed for Canterbury in New Zealand in December, that he has the ability to perform the task.

He was contracted by the Bangalore Royal Challengers for the Indian Premier League following his New Zealand sojourn.

Van der Wath is one of a handful of allrounders that the Knights can use against the Dolphins. Ryan McLaren, Dillon du Preez and Obus Pienaar can perform the same roles.

The Dolphins have several batsmen worth watching, with David Miller hitting the ball the hardest of them all.

Any one of Loots Bosman, Imraan Khan, Ahmed Amla, Devon Conway, Cameron Delport and Vaughn van Jaarsveld can get the visitors out of the starting blocks quickly ... and then Miller lies in wait.

Meanwhile, Titans big hitter Albie Morkel has said that he expects to make his comeback at the Wanderers against the Lions on Friday. He may well play only as a batsman.

The Titans are under pressure after losing the first two games.

Morkel tore his one groin in the game against the Cape Cobras, which the home side won by 5 wickets at Newlands on Friday.

He was injured in his impressive unbeaten innings of 50 off just 25 balls, and could not bowl as a result of the injury.

Morkel was also not in action on Tuesday against the Warriors in East London, where the Titans came unstuck against Mark Boucher. He was in destructive mood and struck an unbeaten 60 off 33 deliveries.

Morkel’s scan confirmed that he suffered a grade 1 tear.

“I should be ready on Friday, but maybe only as a batsman.”

The teams for Wednesday are:

Knights (from): Dean Elgar, Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Bailey, Aubrey Swanepoel, Rilee Rossouw, Adrian McLaren, Ryan McLaren (capt), Obus Pienaar, Johan van der Wath, Jandré Coetzee, Victor Mpitsang, Dillon du Preez, Thandi Tshabalala, Shadley van Schalkwyk.

Dolphins (from):
Loots Bosman, Imraan Khan, Ahmed Amla, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, David Miller, Devon Conway, Cameron Delport, Daryn Smit, Jon Kent, Mthokozisi Shezi, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Abbott.

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