The hosts have already been eliminated from the competition after a poor campaign in which they have managed just two wins out of nine games thus far.
That has left them second bottom, while the visitors have already been assured of finishing second from the top behind the Cape Cobras following five wins in nine games.
Titans coach Rob Walter admits it has been a poor 50-over campaign and is hoping they can end it on a high.
“It’s still about putting in a performance and showing character,” he said. “We haven’t performed as we’d have liked to, so we want to end the competition in a positive way.”
He also acknowledged that the derby factor meant his players needed little motivation.
“There’s also the derby for the players to think of,” he added. “No one wants to lose those and we’ve always had good games in the past. It’s important for us to give it a good crack.”
Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana echoed those sentiments of his Titans counterpart.
“Any derby is a big game, no one wants to lose and tomorrow won’t be any different,” he said.
But Toyana was also casting his eye seven days on as the Johannesburg side prepare to host the qualifier against the Warriors. The Cobras await the winners in a Cape Town final at the end of the month.
“The key for us is to gain momentum for next Wednesday,” Toyana added. “We’ve played some decent cricket in patches, but we’re very happy to be where we are at the moment.
“It’s been tough and we’ve managed to cope. Hopefully we can end well this week and then worry about next week thereafter.”
All-rounder Dwaine Pretorius faces a late fitness test, while fast bowler Hardus Viljoen could also return. But Aaron Phangiso is unavailable due to South Africa ‘A’ duty.
Apart from those players already in the Proteas set-up, the home side will also lose Theunis de Bruyn and Tabraiz Shamsi, who join Phangiso in the ‘A’ team.
Source: African News Agency (ANA)
