With five wins from five matches, Eastern Storm have been the standout team in the Division 2 T20 Knockout competition.
The Benoni-based side will take on ACDC Express Tuskers on Saturday in the final round-robin stage and will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run with the top spot secured heading into the semifinals.
The Tuskers, who were relegated from Division 1 last season, are now looking to make a strong statement and pose a significant challenge after losing their last two encounters in the competition.
Ahead of their crucial clash against the Tuskers on Saturday, Storm head coach, Geoffery Toyana, shared his thoughts on the team's dominant run and how they plan to approach the upcoming game.
“We have stuck to the basics of cricket - that’s been the chat in the changerooms. We’re not overcomplicating things and that has allowed us to play with clarity and focus,” he said.
“We’re playing at home and our focus is on ourselves and what we need to do as a unit. It’s not about what the Tuskers bring but rather about executing our game plan.
“Tuskers are a very good side with Division 1 experience. They beat a strong Northern Cape Heat side in their last game at home, so they will be dangerous. For us, it’s all about preparing well and making sure we’re ready for a tough game,” said Toyana.
Toyana also reflected on the competitive nature of Division 2 this season as multiple semi-final spots are still up for grabs.
“Division 2 is tough. You’re always playing on challenging pitches, which brings different dynamics to the game. The quality of cricket is very high and teams are closer in terms of skill, so anyone can beat anyone on the day,” Toyana concluded.
As the Storm gear up for Saturday’s clash, there will be more cricket on offer. The day will kick off with a Schools SA20 curtain-raiser match starting at 8.30am, adding to the excitement of the day.
UPCOMING T20KO FIXTURES: SATURDAY @ 1pm
Northern Cape Heat v Limpopo Impalas - Kimberley Oval, Kimberley
Eastern Storm v ACDC Express Tuskers - Willowmoore Park Stadium, Benoni
Mpumalanga Rhinos v Eastern Cape Iinyathi - Uplands College, White River
The current Division 2 standings and stats are below, with all the relevant permutations.
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