The Cobras will be fighting for a home semi-final when they meet the Warriors in the final league phase match of the Momentum One-Day Cup in Port Elizabeth today.

Also aiming for home comforts are the Dolphins, who meet the mighty Titans today, but as they sit in third place, two points behind, they need the Cobras to lose – then the Cobras would have to travel to Durban for the semi-final.

The Titans are unassailable, with a lead of six points, and they will meet the Warriors in the semis next week.

The Cobras cannot afford to bask in the sun though, for the Warriors showed what they can do in their last two matches: with a seven-wicket win over the Dolphins, followed by a two-wicket win over the Knights in a match which should have been wrapped up earlier than it was. And it was the Knights who gave the Cobras a rude wake-up call with a thorough demolition job, winning by 75 runs.

In the final match today, the Lions meet the Knights.

‘It’s always more comforting playing at home,’ said Cobras coach Ashwell Prince. ‘It’s great to play in front of your own fans and it’s a nice occasion for them after they supported us throughout the season. We had one loss out of the last four games, so we’re playing good cricket.’

The spin of JP Duminy and GF Linde could be a factor in slow conditions in Port Elizabeth. Aviwe Mgijima and Pieter Malan might even feature as back-up bowlers if the pitch conditions are conducive to slow-medium bowling.

Duminy, the captain, said the loss to the Knights was caused by the normally impeccable bowling attack not performing.

‘We were off the mark and did not execute our plans, and we will be the first to admit it,’ he said. ‘But there is little worry that the attack will falter again.’

 Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix