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DP World Lions: ready to defend

cricket15 September 2023 15:36| © SuperSport
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© SuperSport

Current CSA One-Day Cup Champions, the the DP World Lions are fit and ready to fight.

First up for the reigning champs is an away day game on 20 September versus AET Tuskers in Pietermaritzburg.

DP World Lions Head Coach Russell Domingo believes that being reigning champions is a great place to be in heading into the tournament.

“Being the defending champions gives us a great purpose to play for as we refuse to hand over the trophy – keeping that ‘Champions’ title is a big ambition of ours. Preparations are going well and the guys are excited to get stuck into playing. Personally I am well pleased as to where we are at the moment and if we can execute the basics well throughout the series, then we have a great chance of retaining our trophy.”

The Pride warmly welcome the return of 27-year-old Delano Potgieter.

Having played previously at the Lions, he will be comfortable, settled and undoubtedly ready to devour any opposition that crosses his path.

Lions One-Day Cup captain Dominic Hendricks says he knows that the whole team is eagerly awaiting campaign kickoff;

“Pre-season has been really good – a tough five or six weeks indeed. In terms of new signings, we’ve done really well to secure some smashing talent, especially the likes of Zubayr Hamza and Tshepo Moreki.

"Then there’s Junaid Dawood and Tsepo Ndwandwa as well as some youngsters who are set to excite this season. Our new coach Russell Domingo has been phenomenal in rounding up the troops, ensuring we work together as a group towards a common goal. He has such a calming aura about him and has made the changeroom a relaxed, comfortable and open one.

"To then throw the great Hashim Alma into our mix – a man who exudes calmness, confidence and self-belief; the players really are sitting on a platform of vast experience. When men of such stature share their knowledge and stories, this Pride is all ears. It’s big for us to defend our title and will hit the ground running.”

Those eager to attend other home games at the iconic DP World Wanderers Stadium, can do so on 27 September when the team tackles the Hollywoodbets Dolphins; or v Dafabet Warriors on 6 October.

The last of the four home games is on 22 October against Jukskei rivals Momentum Multiply Titans.

The best and all-consuming family friendly entertainment will set Africa’s first 5G Smart stadium, the DP World Wanderers Stadium alight from first ball to final over.

Fantastic value for money and open for all, Lions Cricket encourages you to diarise our dates - come join us, soak up the sunshine and enjoy the face painters, brass band, jumping castles, superb food vendors, give aways, fireworks and much much more!

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