Titans captain Albie Morkel will be looking to use all his experience to lead his side to back-to-back T20 Challenge titles.

The defending champions kick-off their campaign against rivals Highveld Lions at the Wanderers in a double-header on Saturday, and the 35-year-old Morkel will again captain the Titans after leading them to glory last season and he is confident in their prospects, saying their old experiences will help them.

‘We’ve done well in the T20 competition in the past,’ he said. ‘You can’t look past the fact that we’ve had good players in the field, players that are good at T20 cricket, and it will be the same this year.

‘We have a good team and it will be tough to select a team at times, but I think it’s also a process where everyone knows where they stand with the coach, the captain and where they fit into the environment. It’s key to have a happy environment and that’s what we’re trying to create.’

The former Proteas’ star took 10 wickets and scored close to 200 runs as the Titans won nine out of their 11 matches in the 2015-16 season, including a final win over the Dolphins. He is hoping they can replicate that form this season, but admits there will be extra pressure on his side, who also won the Sunfoil Series in a double trophy-winning term.

‘Hopefully to do the same as last season,’ he added. ‘It’s a nice competition to be part of and T20 cricket brings a lot of excitement, which everyone is looking forward to. It’s at a nice time, just when the festive season is around, so hopefully there’ll be some good crowds as well.

‘There’s obviously going to be more pressure on us to do well again, but that’s something I don’t think we’ll focus on. I think if we do the basics right and play some good aggressive cricket then we’ll get close again.’

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images