Big Money for our Cricketers

Makhaya Ntini has been in top form

It’s high stakes at this weekend’s two MTN40 semifinals, with the biggest-ever prize pot up for grabs in local domestic cricket.

Most of the Proteas will be back for this weekend’s MTN40 semis, as our top four teams battle it out to be crowned domestic champions.

The Cape Cobras take on the Warriors from the Eastern Cape at Paarl tonight in a clash that will see Graeme Smith and JP Duminy (for the Cobras) go up against their SA teammates in the shape of seasoned pros Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, Makhaya Ntini, as well as impressive youngster Wayne Parnell. With 18 full internationals on the park, it’s bound to be a humdinger.

Up north on Sunday, the table-topping Titans should boast a host of Proteas, with AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Paul Harris and Morné Morkel all available. Add to that the fact that their current squad also includes Albie Morkel, Roelof van der Merwe and Jacques Rudolf, and it’s no surprise that they are favourites to win their semi (and the tournament). The inexperienced Dolphins team – the Titans’ opposition at Centurion on Sunday – only have Hashim Aala to bolster their squad.

There’s a lot at stake, as tournament sponsors MTN have put up a whopping R750 000 for the winning team, easily the richest purse in domestic cricket. It’s a winner-takes-all approach, as both the losing semifinalists, as well as the losing finalist will only walk away with R50 000 for the team. Event organisers are hoping this strategy will result in the best players being available, and producing exciting, intense cricket.

Teams for tonight’s clash at Paarl:
WARRIORS: Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, Colin Ingram, Justin Kreusch, Mark Boucher, Davy Jacobs (capt), Johan Botha, Nicky Boje, Wayne Parnell, Rusty Theron, Jon-Jon Smuts, Makhaya Ntini, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Andrew Birch

COBRAS: Graeme Smith, Andrew Puttick, Herschelle Gibbs, JP Duminy, Justin Kemp (capt), Justin Ontong, Stiaan van Zyl, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt, François Plaatjies, Sybrand Engelbrech