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Different ball game for Titans

Johannesburg - Titans coach Matthew Maynard said it will be a totally different ball game when his side takes on the Dolphins in the T20 Domestic Cup at Kingsmead on Friday.

The Dolphins come off a comprehensive 393-run victory over the Titans in a Sunfoil Series match.

"It is a total different game and the result over the past weekend will have no bearing on Friday's game," Maynard said on Wednesday.

The Dolphins enjoyed one of their best Sunfoil Series campaigns in years when they ended third after winning four matches, while the luckless Titans failed to win a game.

The coaches of the teams believe that first-class form will count for little when they kick-off the T20 Domestic Cup.

"They (Titans) are a good team. There is no easy game in the competition," said Dolphins coach Lance Klusener.

"We have just got to rock up and make sure that we execute our skills better than them on the day."

The Dolphins will be without their overseas signing, England international Ravi Bopara, who is still playing in the Bangladesh Premier League. Proteas left-arm quick Lonwabo Tsotsobe will also be missing because of an ankle injury.

Klusener may have been quick to downplay the significance of his team's recent form, but he acknowledged that confidence in the squad was high thanks to their recent wins.

"We have got some good momentum and the excitement of a new competition is something that we are all looking forward to," Klusener said.

Maynard paid tribute to Klusener, who is in his first full season as a domestic coach, for the way he had improved the Dolphins, but also expressed his confidence in the Titans' ability to win in Durban.

"You can see his (Klusener's) input into the four-day game where they came through very well. They struggled a bit in the Momentum Cup, but he's turned them around and they look a tougher unit this year," said Maynard.

"They're more resilient, and hats off for the work Lance has done."

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