Warriors, Dolphins have home advantage
The Standard Bank Pro20 competition reaches its climax over the next weeks when the knock-out stage gets underway with the semi-finals and finals. There is also the additional prize of the two finalists qualifying for the lucrative Champions League to be launched in India later this year.
The league phase was completed on Sunday with the Chevrolet Warriors beating the Gestetner Diamond Eagles by 15 runs at the OUTsurance Oval and the Nashua Dolphins beating the bizhub Highveld Lions by eight wickets at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead.
The Warriors and the Dolphins thus finish first and second on the log with the Nashua Cape Cobras and the Gestetner Diamond Eagles completing the semi-final line-up.
For the first time the semi-finals will be the best-of-three encounters with the side with the better log position having the advantage of a second home game if the third leg is necessary.
The first semi-final first leg match will be played at the OUTsurance Oval on Wednesday when the Diamond Eagles play the Warriors while the Cape Cobras will be at home to the Dolphins on Friday. Both second legs will be on Sunday with the third legs taking place next Wednesday if necessary.
A feature of the weekend's league matches was the return of several Proteas' players to action with Ashwell Prince playing a key role in the Warriors' victory on Sunday and the likes of Johan Botha, Hashim Amla and JP Duminy playing key roles.
Graeme Smith will also make his eagerly awaited return for the Cape Cobras in this Friday's semi-final.
