Full-house expected for Standard Bank Pro20 final in PE

When 18:00 breaks on Friday 12 March 2010, a thunderous roar of excitement will be heard across the Eastern Cape as a 17 500-strong crowd pack into the Axxess DSL St. George's grounds in Port Elizabeth for the start of the Standard Bank Pro20 final.  In an unequaled domestic fixture ticket-sale frenzy, supporters scooped up all the available tickets for the match between the Chevrolet Warriors and the bizhub Highveld Lions in only five days. 

The Chevrolet Warriors will be on a mission to win their second trophy of the season, while the bizhub Highveld Lions are going in to upset the fan-favourites at their home ground.  After a fantastic performance in the series thus far, the Chevrolet Warriors have the upper hand in terms of their series statistics, but the bizhub Highveld Lions will be no walkover.  The Lions pulled off a stunning victory over the then-favourites Nashua Titans in the second semi-final last week to secure their spot in the finals, and as with any Pro20 match the game dynamics can change at any time on Friday night. 

The Chevrolet Warriors have announced a strong squad for the match including a number of Proteas players.  The squad includes:

•·    Davy Jacobs (Capt)

•·    Justin Kreusch

•·    Colin Ingram

•·    Jacques Kallis

•·    Mark Boucher

•·    Nicky Boje

•·    Rusty Theron

•·    Craig Thyssen

•·    Makhaya Ntini

•·    Ashwell Prince

•·    Johan Botha

•·    Wayne Parnell

•·    Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Although they are going into the match as a firm crowd favourite, Chevrolet Warriors captain Davy Jacobs has reiterated that the team will not be over-confident as anything can happen in a Standard Bank Pro20 match, though they are happy to be playing in front of such a good home crowd.

There will also be a number of activations running for fans and players from the various sponsors.  Standard Bank will donate R466 664.00 to Nelson Mandela House in the name of the batsman that is able to hit 4-6-6-6-4 in sequential order off 5 consecutive balls. The player that manages to pull off this feat will receive a "46664" bracelet in Platinum.

Chevrolet, sponsors of the home team are once again running their Captiva incentive.  Any player that hits the Captiva car on the stand next to the scoreboard with a direct hit gets to drive away with it after the match.  The incentive has been in place for two seasons with no winner - the final might just be the match that sees one lucky player hitting the road in this great product.

Fans can get into action with Cricket South Africa's "Cash is King" promotion. Four lucky fans attending the match stand a chance to win R25 000 each of the whopping R100 000 being given away at the final.  Ticket numbers will be drawn randomly and these numbers will be announced.  Should the winner be U18 they would need to nominate an adult to receive the prize on their behalf.  Spectators will need to check the ticket numbers on the top right hand side of the ticket.  The Standard Bank dancing girls and dunk-tank will be in action again, along with the DJs and band to entertain the crowds.  There are also 2000 caps being given away and 5000 hard hats to the first fans through the gates.

The match will be broadcasted live on SuperSport2 from 18:00 as well as a delayed broadcast on SABC 3 from 19:30 tomorrow night.  It is sure to be an absolutely explosive match as both teams will be going all-out for the trophy, don't miss it!