TheSportsCampus

The Nashua Titans have been the most consistent franchise this season even if it has not brought them a trophy to date. They were beaten finalists in the MTN40 and came within one run of taking their Standard Bank Pro20 semi-final against the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras to a third leg.

But that elusive trophy may be just around the corner as they go into the last two rounds of the SuperSport Series competition.

They are once again up against the Cobras on Thursday, this time at Sahara Park Newlands, and lead their opponents by almost 13 points at the top of the log. The bizhub Highveld Lions and the Nashua Dolphins are a further 10 and 12 points back respectively but they can also come right back into the picture by winning this weekend if the clash between the top two sides finishes in a draw.

Whatever happens, the showdown between the Titans and the Cobras has the promise of an outstanding match. There should be no shortage of quality on the field. Titans’ captain Jacques Rudolph is one of three players to have made three centuries this season and is the competition’s second leading runs scorer behind the Lions’ Neil McKenzie.

Imran Tahir of the Dolphins is the leading wicket taker but will not be seen in action again this season because of his World Cup commitments and he could be overtaken by both Vernon Philander of the Cobras and Ethy Mbhalati of the Titans.

The SuperSport Series is the Blue Riband competition in pure cricketing terms. It is where players not only develop their games to the highest level but also where they maintain it.

The Proteas’ next Castle Test series is against Australia at home at the start of next season and that is one series to which every South African cricketer will aspire to play.

Fixtures for Thursday: Sahara Park Newlands: Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras vs. Nashua Titans; Maritzburg Oval: Nashua Dolphins vs. Chevrolet Knights; Bidvest Wanderers Stadium: bizhub Highveld Lions vs. Chevrolet Warriors