THE Multiply Titans hold the advantage heading into the final round of the 2016/17 Sunfoil Series and coach Mark Boucher has highlighted the importance of his players remembering that when they walk on to Sahara Park Willowmoore to play the Warriors from Thursday.
The defending champions top the table going into the decisive round of matches that will end one of the closest races for the domestic four-day title in history.
The champions are currently top of the table with a lead of just over two points from the VKB Knights, while all the other teams are also in contention.
The chasing pack will be hoping for the Titans to slip up, meaning they will be closely following their progress as well as trying to win their own matches.
“It’s important for us as leaders not to panic,” Boucher said. “We need to understand that the advantage is with us as it stands and if we can just focus on what we do and have a decent game of cricket, then that hopefully will be enough for us to go on and win.
“So our focus is pretty much in one direction. So thankfully we don’t have to worry about anything else.”
Boucher, who has led the franchise to the T20 Challenge crown this season, has already seen his side slip up once when they gambled against the BuildNat Cape Cobras in a bid to get ahead at the summit, but instead paid the price of defeat.
“We experienced what it’s like to get too far ahead of ourselves against the Cobras and we paid the price,” the Titans boss added. “You want to play attacking cricket, but you also need to remember the way you go about getting a base first.”
Rookies Tony de Zorzi and Alfred Mothoa have been named in the squad for the clash.
Despite there still being a mathematical chance for the Warriors to catch the leaders, coach Malibongwe Maketa has admitted it would take a “miracle”.
However, they can still make some substantial gains on the table with victory as well as help other teams should they spring an upset on the East Rand.
“We set ourselves high hopes at the start of the season to do well in this competition and we want to now make sure we finish off strongly,” Maketa said. “Most of our players achieved personal goals of what they set out and we just want to now end well.”
Tladi Bokako and Aya Gqamane have been added to the Warriors’ squad for the clash.
