Johannesburg – After two opening losses in their One-Day Cup campaign the Highveld Lions will be looking to turn their fortunes around when they play the Titans at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday.
“It's still early days and I think this competition will only take shape after six or seven games, so we still have time,” said Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana.
While the Lions have lost their first two matches the team is more comfortable at the Wanderers than they are in Potchefstroom, where they lost to the Dolphins and Chevrolet Warriors.
The Johannesburg-based franchise could be buoyed by the return of stalwart Neil McKenzie.
“We've got the services of Neil McKenzie again which is a big plus because I think his experience has been missed,” Toyana said.
“He still has to go through a fitness test before the game but I'm quite confident he'll pull through.”
Having enjoyed a full week off since their two-run defeat to the Cape Cobras last Friday, the Titans have had time to ponder their shortcomings.
Titans captain Henry Davids said the players have since been put through some hard and taxing sessions.
Coach Rob Walter emphasised the need for a stronger start with the bat, an obvious failing in their tournament opener when they collapsed to 20 for four.
“It was a big positive for the guys in the middle order that they came through with some runs, and there were some performances from the guys in the lower order as well, but that's not really their job,” Davids said.
“The guys at the top of the order need to set some decent foundations and get the team to a winning position.” – Sapa