The Titans will be out to add to the Warriors’ woes when the two sides clash in the Four-Day Series at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha today (10am start).
Currently placed sixth on the table after having secured all three possible results in their opening three fixtures, the Titans will face a winless Warriors side desperate for momentum after having had two draws and two defeats in their four encounters.
Titans opener Joshua van Heerden has been in decent touch since the start of the campaign, scoring two half-centuries so far for the former champions, and he believes a win against the last-placed Warriors will get their season back on track.
“I feel like I’m in a good space, and the team is in a good space as well,” Van Heerden told Independent Media.
“We did well against the Knights, and we also had a good run against the Dolphins, and hopefully we can continue that good trend against the Warriors.
All roads lead to St George’s Park 💙 The boys are locked in and ready for the 4-Day Series against the Warriors tomorrow 🔒#WhereLegendsRise | #4DaySeries pic.twitter.com/02BY29Z0xh
— Momentum Multiply Titans (@Titans_Cricket) December 18, 2024
“Coming off a win is a big positive for us. We lost the first one against the Lions and drew against the Dolphins.
“We are going in the right direction. I think a win against the Warriors could put us up to second place.
“If we can win against them, we go into Christmas in second place, which would be a good way to end the year.
“The table is pretty close together, and we also have a game in hand in comparison to the teams above us. It’s all in our hands if we can manage to stick to the process.”
The fixture will be the first for the Sky Blues without long-time serving coach Mandla Mashimbyi, who was unveiled as the new Proteas Women coach earlier this month.
Richard das Neves has since been named as the interim Titans coach.
And while Van Heerden added that Mashimbyi’s loss was not an easy one, they will take the lessons learned from him and put them to good use going forward.
“Coach Mandla played a massive role. He has been there for the best part of 12 years, both as coach and assistant coach, and he has won coach of the year twice.
“He will definitely be missed in the change-room, but I guess what we can do is make sure we have a good season.
“I’m sure he will be watching from afar with a keen eye, and he will be wanting us to do well.
The squad is traveling to PE this evening to take on Warriors tomorrow morning✈️#4DaySeries pic.twitter.com/02atcgbwUw
“Personally, I haven’t spent that much time with him, having only come this side last season.
“But his approach to the game and the way he’s able to stay consistent with his emotions has been something that has been good to learn, and also his willingness to help.”
Elsewhere, the Dolphins will be in search of their second win of the season when they welcome Boland at the Kingsmead in Durban this morning (9am start). | Independent Media Sport