There is also a little extra spice to the contest - the Tuskers are the very team the Knights replaced in Division One of domestic cricket, and with both sides eager to make their mark at this level, Wednesday night’s encounter promises to carry plenty of edge.

The Knights have endured a torrid start to the season and have had plenty of time over the past few days to reflect on their heavy 124-run defeat to the Titans.

Gihahn Cloete. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Free State side are still searching for their first win of the new campaign. They lost to the North West Dragons and drew with the Lions in the First-Class Series, before suffering five-wicket defeats to Western Province at Newlands and Boland in Paarl.

Then came Friday’s hammering at the hands of the Titans, where Proteas batter Lhuan-Dré Pretorius produced a remarkable display of power hitting.

Pretorius smashed an unbeaten 188 off just 79 deliveries, peppering the innings with 15 fours and 13 sixes as the Titans piled on the runs.

The Knights will now be hoping to draw a line under that performance and turn their attention to what they can control.

The pressure is certainly on, but experienced wicketkeeper-batter Gihahn Cloete told OFM Sport the Knights have used their time off wisely and can turn things around by backing their ability and improving their execution.

“The two days off have done us well as a team, just to sit down and reflect,” said the former Protea.

“It’s really nice to be back in Division One and playing competitive cricket again. I know we’ve lost three games now, but in the first two we were in control and it was just the small moments where we made a few errors or perhaps lacked execution.

“Within a week, a player’s skill doesn’t really fade, so we back our boys. We’re still selecting the right guys for the conditions and putting them in positions where they can play to their strengths.”

Cloete also refused to read too much into Pretorius’ extraordinary innings, pointing instead to the quality of the young batter’s performance on the day.

“Against the Titans, there was obviously a special knock and sometimes, if it’s your day, it’s your day,” said Cloete.

“We did execute our skills here and there, but Lhuan-Dré played really well.

Gihahn Cloete. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We still have two home games, so we’d obviously like to get back on track. We’ve spoken about doing the basics better and for longer periods, because if we execute our skills and do the basics for longer under pressure, then we should come out with a win tomorrow evening.

“There’s a lot of homework that’s been done by the team management behind the scenes, and we’re just looking to buy into that, stick to our plans and not fall under pressure.”

The match between the Knights and Tuskers at the Mangaung Oval is scheduled to get underway at 18:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvdw