The pressure valve has reached boiling point with the SP Super Series semi finals exploding this Sunday in an automatic fashion as Steamship Hardware, Trukai Invincibles, Brian Bell and Telikom Titans face off for the ultimate glory-the SP Super Series Trophy.
Both matches at Amini Park and Colts Grounds is expected to be a heated affair with the four teams keen on winning the toss and bat in order to set a decent score and defend it with good rapid attack in bowling and fielding.
Brian Bell’s superb captain-coach Rarua Dikana said their main emphasis at training this week was getting their opening batsmen into top form for their semi final match against Trukai Invincibles at Colts Grounds.
“Our batting definitely needs to lift especially Tanti (Heni), Ipi (Morea), Peter (Moide), Joel Tom and Jamie (Iga) really need to click and put a lot of effort into their batting.
“They have been getting starts but getting out in the 30s, I want them to get a good start, get past 30 and score a good score beyond that.
“But Joel (Tom) has improved a lot and is showing how good an all rounder he can be with the ball and bat, I believe he will go in full force on Sunday.
Dikana admitted if he won the toss on Sunday he will elect to bat as he thinks this does not add too much pressure when he has a good bowling attack.
“I will be batting first when I win that toss and I’m confident my bowlers can complete the job.
When Dikana was asked how his bowlers and him self would play against Invincibles ever green skipper John Ovia, Dikana said, “I guess a class batsman like John needs to be put under pressure as mush as possible and hopefully if we can build the pressure and maintain it and then we can get him out quickly.
Steamships Hardware tagged the giants killers from day one have adopted the nickname very well and will be out in full force to make amends against underdogs Telikom Titans.
The match between Steamships Hardware and the Titans will be replay of round 6 last Sunday when Eddie Tamarua’s side was beaten by 37 runs with Kapena Arua becoming the highest run scorer in an innings with 91 runs in his last dig.
“I will make up for those nine runs on Sunday and from there I will try my best again to score a good score to help my side make the finals,” said a positive Arua after last Sunday’s match.
Titans team manager Girigi Moang said their preparations have been very good and the whole team was looking forward to the semi final match.
“There will be some changes to the line up and we have promised not to allow last Sunday’s performance to creep back into our game.
“Our aim definitely will be to see our top order contribute more runs and keep a good partnership going.
“This was our main emphasis at training this week, giving the guys an extra batting session to fine tune their batting for the crucial match.
“Our opening batsman need to perform to their best if we are to win this match and it’s up to them otherwise we will find ourselves in another different scenario all together.
“But I’m positive that we will improve from our last game and our top order will this time make Kapena’s job a lot easier,” Moang said.
Last Modified on 13/06/2008 08:29