Russell Domingo © Gallo Images

The Eastern Cape franchise, on 49.14 points, leads the second-placed Nashua Titans, on 48.9 points, by less than a point with the Titans having a game in hand.

Not surprisingly, Domingo is pleased with his team’s position as the Warriors continue their quest for a trophy for the first time since the introduction of franchise cricket in 2003.

“Topping the table could be different from being in fourth or fifth place in that we don’t have to try and force results by making use of declarations,” Domingo told SuperCricket on Monday.

“Some pressure could be off of us but we always try and win all our games and we can take confidence from the win against the Eagles into our game at Paarl against the Cobras,” he added.

The Warriors began the recently completed round of SuperSport matches in second place but, after losing the first day of their game against the Eagles at Buffalo Park in East London to poor weather; a draw looked to have been the most likely result on a batsmen-friendly pitch.

However, a sporting declaration from Eagles captain Boeta Dippenaar set the home side a target of 350 runs to win in 60 overs on the fourth and final day of the match.

In the end they reached 353 for four with two overs to spare. What made the Warriors’ feat all the more remarkable is that they had gone to tea on 90 without loss having already used up 20 overs.

“It was awesome. It is always tough to get a result at Buffalo Park, especially in three days. It was a remarkable chase and the guys are really proud of what they achieved,” Domingo enthused.

A pleasing aspect for Domingo was the form of the team’s young batsmen.

Proteas stalwart Ashwell Prince led the run-chase with a superb 136 but he received excellent support from Jon-Jon Smuts, who followed up his unbeaten 150 in the first innings with an unbeaten half-century in his second dig.

Colin Ingram scored a half-century in the first innings before blitzing his way to 39 off 25 balls in the second innings while the big-hitting Craig Thyssen scored a rapid 23 not out off 14 balls to help his side over the line.

Ingram and Thyssen are both still 24 years old while Smuts is just 21 and Domingo feels that their growing maturity has played a vital role in his team’s success.

“We have got a lot of young players in our batting line-up. We have the likes of Ashwell Prince and Davy Jacobs but Jon-Jon Smuts, Craig Thyssen and Colin Ingram are starting to make meaningful contributions and starting to win games for us.

“It is a promising sign and it is something that we have lacked in the last few seasons,” he explained.

Domingo is also pleased with the depth in the Warriors’ squad as his team pulled off their victory without the services of left-arm swing bowlers Wayne Parnell and Lonwabo Tsotsobe and off-spinner Johan Botha, all of whom were on international duty with South Africa.

“Losing Wayne, Lonwabo and Johan was a big loss for us but we have got lots of depth, especially on the bowling front.

“Having depth in your squad when you lose your national players is probably one of the most important aspects of franchise cricket,” he concluded.

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