DP World Lions captain Bjorn Fortuin believes that the team's fate is in their own hands, but acknowledges that they need to deliver results. The #PrideOfJozi have four matches left in the CSA T20 Challenge and are currently jostling for a semi-final spot.
On Sunday, they will face the Auto Investments North-West Dragons to secure their second place in the standings and close the gap on the log-leading Warriors.
After Friday night's matches, the DP World Lions are currently nine points behind the Eastern Province team, but three points ahead of the Dolphins with a game in hand, and seven points ahead of fourth-placed Western Province.
Our Pride has won their last three matches in a row, and they will undoubtedly carry this momentum and confidence into Sunday's clash at the DP World Wanderers Stadium.
Fortuin warned:
“We have no complaints with how things are going at the moment but we must not get ahead of ourselves. I’ve been part of teams that have won five on the bounce and then it was downhill from there. Our main goal is to catch the Warriors and we also still have a game against them. So our future is in our own hands, but it is still up to us to put the results on the table. There have already been a couple of surprise results this season so you can never write anyone off, this format has proven that so many times. Anyone can beat anyone on any day. The Dragons have some seriously dangerous players and they have a lot to play for as a team and individuals have points to prove as well.”
The DP World Lions should continue with their current approach. Their success so far has not been dependent on a few players, as evidenced by the fact that nine different Pride members are among the top-20 in batting and bowling averages. This demonstrates that many Lions are making significant contributions.
Ryan Rickelton's unbeaten half-century helped the DP World Lions secure a crucial weather-shortened victory over the Dolphins in their last match. The Pride has struggled with rain-interrupted matches this season.
Fortuin hopes to instill a more adaptable mindset in his team. Despite this, the DP World Lions appear to be steadily improving and are poised to peak during the knockout stages.
DP World Lions Men CSA T20 challenge squad:
Ryan Rickelton; Reeza Hendricks; Temba Bavuma; Rassie van der Dussen; Mitchell van Buuren; Wiaan Mulder; Evan Jones; Bjorn Fortuin; Tshepo Moreki; Codi Yusuf; Kwena Maphaka; Zubayr Hamza; Connor Esterhuizen; Junaid Dawood; Nqaba Peter; Kagiso Rabada; Delano Potgieter; Lutho Sipamla.