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Expect blood in Bullring

It's not as though a match between provincial neighbours the Lions and the Titans needs any further edge added to it but Titans captain Daryll Cullinan has added to it.

It's not as though a match between provincial neighbours the Highveld Lions and the Titans needs any further edge added to it.

The recent history between the two sides has led to suspensions and fines for players and it is fair to assume that some bad blood still exists.

So there really was no need for the Titans captain Daryll Cullinan to stick it to the Lions this week by telling one newspaper that the Lions should be paying the Titans "appearance fees to play at the Wanderers", ahead of the two sides' crucial Standard Bank Pro20 encounter at the Bullring tonight.

The Titans certainly contain some of the country's most entertaining players and the likes of Justin Kemp, Gerald Dros and Albie Morkel are significant drawcards.

But the Lions showed a fortnight ago at the Wanderers that they are perfectly capable of attracting a big crowd without any assistance from their northern neighbours.

And instead of getting too caught up in any pre-match verbals, they're focusing their attention on how to pick up a third win, which should put them into the semifinals of the competition.

"He was also pretty boisterous before the Standard Bank final in Bloemfontein and look what happened to them there," responded veteran Lions opening batsman Adam Bacher.

He also pointed out that the Titans, big hitters and all, have not had a particularly good record at the Wanderers recently, having lost a Standard Bank Cup semifinal there a few seasons back, and, of course, a round robin fixture in the same competition earlier this season.

After last Sunday's thumping against the table-topping Eagles in Potchefstroom, Bacher said it was good to be returning to more familiar surroundings in Corlett Drive.

"We're still learning how to come to terms with Potchefstroom as a home ground, it really is vastly different to the Wanderers."

"As a bowler you have a lot more defence at the Wanderers, because the pitch offers you more," Bacher explained.

With the match starting an hour and a half later than is normal for an evening match in this competition there will be even more assistance for the seam bowlers. "The ball will go around for both sides and because of the time of the year we're playing in, the dew might also be an important factor."

All of which will boost a Lions side whose confidence took a significant knock in the wake of Loots Bosman's dazzling knock last week.

However, the home team's bowling resources have been damaged by the forced withdrawal of Garnett Kruger, who broke his hand while batting in Potchefstroom. Opener and wicketkeeper Matthew Harris injured his left knee while watching soccer on Wednesday evening and also looks a doubtful starter.

Crucially, though, Justin Ontong is expected to make a return to the side.

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