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CRICKET mania has hit the Eastern Cape, with thousands of fans expected to descend on St George’s Park next week for the hugely anticipated Pro20 final – and the high-flying Chevrolet Warriors set to take part in one of the world’s most lucrative international cricket tournaments.

A triumphant Warriors side arrived back from Cape Town in high spirits yesterday after qualifying for the 20-over domestic showpiece by beating the Cape Cobras over two semi-final legs, the last of which was a heroic effort against all the odds in a tight clash at Newlands on Wednesday night.

Coach Russell Domingo was full of praise for his team for having secured the nail-biting win.

“There was a lot of heartbreak last year and it’s a massive relief that we got through this one. The boys were exceptional and we’re looking forward to playing the final next week,” Domingo said at Port Elizabeth Airport yesterday.

He appealed to the Nelson Mandela Bay public to attend next Friday’s match in their thousands. “The Cobras crowd support was very average. They only had about 4000 to 5000 people. If we can get close to a full house here, it will be a huge advantage.

“So, hopefully, the people will come and support us in full force.

“It will make a huge difference to our cause.”

The financial spin-off for making the final of the domestic Pro20 is inclusion in the lucrative Indian Champions League -- something the Warriors narrowly missed out on last season when they were pipped at the post in a super-over by the Eagles.

Warriors chief executive Dave Emslie said he was expecting a mad rush for tickets and that he would not be surprised if all 17500 were snapped up.

“I think we’ll probably sell out. The tickets have just gone on sale and they are flying already,” he said. “It’s great to be able to bring the people of Port Elizabeth a high-profile final like this one.”

The Warriors’ opponents may well be decided tonight if the Lions beat the Titans in their second-leg match in Centurion. If not, the match will go into a third leg on Monday evening.

The Warriors are chasing their second trophy of the season after they won the MTN40 title in East London at the end of January. Although he could not give figures yesterday, Emslie said the purse for the Indian Champions League would be “substantial”.

“There’s a profit-share payment. It sort of cascades the money down. We even benefited from it last season. Obviously, the further up the ladder you are, the more financially rewarding it becomes.

“It also depends on how well you do in the competition as to how much you are paid.

“If it’s played in South Africa, we’ll have a more than even chance of doing well.”

It is unclear whether South Africa will host the Indian Champions League, as recently announced by cricket bosses. Two weeks ago Cricket SA claimed that it had bagged the hosting rights of the multimillion-dollar event, featuring 12 teams, including the two finalists from South Africa’s Pro20.

But the event’s chairman, Lalit Modi, insisted the following day that the tournament’s governing council had yet to decide on the matter.

Modi said the IPL governing council had so far only asked for the participating member boards to convey their preparedness and consent to host the league. He added the council would have to evaluate venue availability, weather and pitches, among other variables, prior to finalising a host country for the lucrative event.

Emslie said he had heard conflicting reports: “I saw that Cricket SA announced the tournament would be held in South Africa. Now I’m hearing contradicting reports like on (website) cricinfo. So I’m trying to find out what the official situation is.”

But South Africa will no doubt be considered as favourites to secure the rights, especially after the runaway success of last year’s Indian Premier League in the country. If that happens, the competition – scheduled to be held from September 10 to 26 – will take place across three venues countrywide, one of which will be St George’s.

Meanwhile, one of the heroes from Wednesday night, Craig Thyssen, said he was thrilled to have done his bit for the Warriors when it counted.

“If you wanted to perform, the semi-final or final would be the best place to come good,” he said yesterday. “Russell (Domingo) kept reminding me at practices that when that chance comes, I must be mentally prepared. I haven’t had much of a chance to bat in the series, but Russell kept telling me that my chance will come. It was a great feeling knowing that I took the chance when it came.”