Toyana keeps Lions grounded

Johannesburg - The bizhub Highveld Lions are waiting on the availability of three senior players as they prepare to defend the top spot on the Sunfoil Series table in a game against The Unlimited Titans at Sahara Willowmoore Park on Thursday.

Coach Geoffrey Toyana will evaluate the fitness of fast bowlers Hardus Viljoen and Lonwabo Tsotsobe, ahead of the game, and is hoping to have Alviro Petersen available again after the opening batsman enjoyed a rest following the Test series against West Indies.

After a sensational win over the reigning Sunfoil Series champions last weekend, Toyana has been focusing on pulling his rookies back down to earth as his side prepare to take on the side immediately below them on the table.

The Lions beat the Cobras by an innings and 35 runs at Senwes Park, with debutant Sean Jamison and Dwaine Pretorius taking eight wickets apiece, putting them 16 points clear at the top of the table.

Done their time

“These youngsters can come in and have one good game and think that the season is done,” said Toyana. “It’s important that we get their feet back on the ground and make them start again because it’s a new day and a new game.”

The Titans go into the game well rested after two weeks off, but missing five key players - Dean Elgar, Theunis de Bruyn, Farhaan Behardien, David Wiese and Marchant de Lange are all unavailable due to Proteas and South Africa A call-ups.

Asked who their replacements would be, coach Rob Walter said: “It won’t be any names that haven’t been seen in our setup already - guys like Graeme van Buuren, Cobus Pienaar and Qaasim Adams.

“They’re guys who have done their time in the amateur sides and it will be nice to give them a run.”