Cape Town – A refreshed Titans outfit will be gunning for a place in the Champions League T20 semi-finals, according to top-order batsman Farhaan Behardien, when they face Indian Premier League champions the Kolkata Knight Riders in a Group A clash at Newlands on Sunday.
Behardien said on Saturday the Pretoria-based side were fuelled by successive victories in the competition, having settled at the top of Group A, and wanted to cement their position in the playoffs with a match to spare.
“We will take a lot of confidence from our first two wins going into our game against Kolkata and we are looking forward to that challenge,” Behardien said.
“We've had a slight break from competition and it has done us good.
“After two matches we've had a chance to look at our options during the match, and depending on the match situation, we will need those options.”
Titans skipper Martin van Jaarsveld was banking on support from the terraces after the Cape Town crowd had shown support for fellow South African side the Highveld Lions earlier in the week.
“The weather forecast shows that it is going to be a fine day and hopefully there’ll be a lot of people at the match,” Van Jaarsveld said.
“I am not too sure if the Capetonians are going to get behind a team from Pretoria but I'm hoping they'll support us.”
Kolkata, who cannot progress beyond the group stages after two defeats and one rained-out fixture, have only pride to play for in their final game before heading home.
The Titans, meanwhile, were given a late boost when strike bowler Ethy Mbhalati was passed fit on Saturday after recovering from a hamstring injury.
“Ethy was put through a rigorous fitness test by our medical team at this morning's practice,” said Titans spokesman Gerald Dros.
“This included bowling a full spell and he came through with flying colours.” – Sapa