Bullring to script T20 Challenge final

• Published date: 27 April 2024
• Author: Ongama Gcwabe
• Publication title: Independent on Saturday

The Bullring still possesses most of the traits that helped produce what many deem the best one-day international of all time – the 438 game in which South Africa chased down a mammoth score set by Australia. In that part of the country, the ball travels miles off the bat, whether well-timed or not by the batter

The good old field-first winning strategy applies to this day as the Lions have demonstrated in their T20 Challenge campaign, where they have won six out of their eight home games fielding first.

The only time they lost a home game despite winning the toss and fielding first was when they hosted the Warriors in the round robin stage.

However, the iconic stadium has had its fair share of changes, particularly with regard to the nature of the wicket itself.

Gone are the days when the big fast bowlers called the shots at the Bullring. The script has flipped dramatically over the years. Now the pitch seems to favour the spinners quite a bit, as 21-year-old Nqaba Peter (19 wickets) has demonstrated throughout the tournament alongside his spin twin Bjorn Fortuin (16 wickets).

Somehow, this dynamic duo has found just the right formula of pace and trajectory that is necessary to not only keep the batters quiet, but also take wickets at regular intervals at the Wanderers.

With this acute knowledge of their home ground advantage in mind, coupled with the abundance of Proteas players they have at their disposal, it is natural to believe the Lions have an out-and-out upper hand over the visiting Durban-based Dolphins.

After all, the Lions are boosted by numerous explosive batters including Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks. Moreover, with quality batters such as Mitchell van Buuren struggling to break into the XI, the Lions look seriously strong as a T20 unit.

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