The Moothee Ram Tuskers have won the toss under sunny blue skies and have elected to bowl first against World Sports Betting Western Province in a One-Day Cup encounter at World Sports Betting Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday.
The home side picked up their first 50-over victory on Wednesday when they stuttered to a nervy three-wicket win over Goldrush Boland in the Cape derby, thanks mainly to half-centuries from Jiveshen Pillay (54) and David Bedingham (53).
The Tuskers remain winless after four matches, having lost to the Momentum Multiply Titans in a rain-reduced encounter by six wickets. The issue it seems with the visitors at present is the lack of runs being scored, with Malcolm Nofal leading the stumbling charge with just 118 runs from four outings.
The only other batsman to pass the 100-run mark is captain and former WP allrounder, Wayne Parnell, who has 105 runs to his name. In contrast, Bedingham has 194 runs under his belt to date with Kyle Verreynne (121) and Josh Breed (102) in support – although Breed has only walked to the crease twice.
Parnell and Daryn Dupavillon each have four scalps while Nofal and Hardus Viljoen each have three. Again Provence are outshining their opponents in wicket-taking with spinner Kyle Simmonds having taken nine wickets already with Beuren Hendricks (5) and Nandre Burger (4) in support.
The home side are a eight points behind third-placed Titans, who take on their Jukskei neighbours, DP World Lions today, with the Lions just a point ahead of the Titans. The hosts will be chomping at the bit for their second victory to try and remain in contention for a place in the play-off – however mathematical that may seem.
World Sports Betting Western Province – TBA
Moothee Ram Tuskers – TBA