The Knights are primed to finish at the top of the log when the league stage of the T20 competition concludes on the weekend, and in doing so, they will secure a home fixture for Qualifier 1. However, the Badgers will face the Eastern Storm in Oudtshoorn on Wednesday, and if they beat the team from the East Rand, they will also move up to 18 points, level with the Knights.

While the Knights will quietly be hoping for a favour from the struggling Storm, they’ll want to leave nothing to chance on the weekend when they host Lotli Sesele’s charges.

Dane Piedt. Photo: Morgan Piek

In-form Knights batter Cole Abrahams, currently the second-highest run-scorer in the competition behind teammate Rilee Rossouw, told OFM Sport that for them, it’s all about focusing on the next game - and that’s the Badgers.

“I think for us it’s all about controlling what we can control, and that’s the game on Saturday,” said Abrahams.

“Every game in this competition has been vitally important, and this one is no different. We’re focusing on the brand of cricket we want to play rather than worrying about who we’re up against - it’s about executing our plans as a team.

“We’ve managed to get ourselves out of some sticky situations, and that speaks volumes about the character in the squad. Every game, someone new steps up, and the mood in the camp is really positive. Everyone’s doing what they need to do and controlling their own space.

“The key for us is to stay in the moment and treat the next game as the most important one - not looking too far ahead. If we keep that mindset and take care of business on Saturday, hopefully, things will go our way and we can secure that home qualifier.”

Meanwhile, the Knights are expected to still be without the services of their regular captain, Dane Piedt. Piedt sustained a shoulder injury in the four-wicket defeat to the Eastern Cape Iinyathi and consequently missed the wins against the Mpumalanga Rhinos in White River and the Storm in Bloemfontein.

Malusi Siboto. Photo: Morgan Piek

Veteran seamer Malusi Siboto is expected to continue standing in as captain for the game against the Badgers. It also remains to be seen whether left-arm seamer Tiaan van Vuuren will return to action for the Free State after doing duty with South Africa A in India during the two unofficial Tests.

Saturday’s game between the Knights and the Badgers at the Mangaung Oval is scheduled to start at 13:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh