With a win from their sole outing so far, the Cape Cobras will have their one-day credentials tested by the Eagles when the teams clash in the MTN Domestic cricket Championship in Bloemfontein tomorrow.

The Cobras completely outplayed the Titans in their opening game last Friday, although the Titans bounced back with a hard-earned win over the Dolphins yesterday to move back to the top of the log.

The Titans have reached the halfway stage in their 45-overs programme and have clearly laid down the gauntlet to their rivals.

The Cobras, however, will have good memories of their only performance so far and they have named a strong-looking side quite capable of testing the Eagles in Bloemfontein.

If gifted opener Herschelle Gibbs still has national aspirations, this will be the place to show he can still play the sorts of innings which will catch the attention of the national panel.

His brief will be to occupy the crease as long as possible because he's a naturally fast scorer and if he sets the platform, the Cobras, with players like Henry Davids, JP Duminy and Justin Ontong lining up, are well equipped to capitalise.

They may need to play to their potential against the Eagles, who have twice rattled up totals of over 300 this season, last Friday setting a competition record with their massive 358 for five against the Warriors.

The promising Rilee Rossouw was superb in that innings and the Eagles batsmen should be full of swagger, although coach Corrie van Zyl will warn them against complacency in the face of a capable Cobras attack, led by senior paceman Charl Langeveldt and veteran spinner Claude Henderson.

Lower down the table, the pressure is beginning to mount for the Highveld Lions and the Warriors, who meet in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The Lions, at least, have a victory under their belts and batsmen like Alviro Petersen, Jean Symes, Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Jonathan Vandiar will be eager to remind the Warriors of the mauling they took in East London.

If they get that right, the Warriors batsmen face a major test of character. Against the Diamond Eagles, they batted valiantly to reach 264 in their 45 overs and it will again be a case of finding their rhythm and consistency if they hope to score their first win over the competition this season.

Sapa

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