Cobras release duo to Warriors

Cape Town - The Cape Cobras have released two former South African u-19-players, Yaseen Vallie and Clyde Fortuin, to ply their trade for the Warriors from the 2015/2016 first-class season.

Vallie (25) has been a senior stalwart for the Cape Cobras since making the debut for the franchise in 2010/2011.

He was a crucial part of their all-conquering team in 2013/2014, when the Cape franchise romped to the four-day domestic title.
Vallie scored one of the 11 centuries for the Sunfoil Series champions.

A versatile batsman with a career-average of 41.16 in first-class cricket and a pleasing 33.32 in List A-cricket, Vallie has all the attributes of reaching heights beyond franchise –representation, said Nabeal Dien, chief executive of the Cape Cobras and the Western Province Cricket Association.

"One of the premier goals at the Cobras and Western Province apart from the obvious quest for domestic silver ware, is to develop players who can represent South Africa.

"By releasing Yaseen and Clyde, we believe its offering them vital opportunities of playing franchise cricket in order to broadening their experience and improving their qualities as top-players,” he added.

Fortuin was an eye-catching member of the South African u.19-team that won the Junior World Cup of the International Cricket Council in 2014 by beating Pakistan in the final.

He shared in an excellent 105-run opening stand in the semi-final against Australia and helped to set up the emphatic 80-run win.

As an opening batsman and wicket-keeper, he is a versatile evolving cricket player with enormous talent, and at 19 years of age, a bright future beckons.

"Clyde made his Cobras debut in the 2014/2015-season and has all the attributes of becoming a South African star. 

"A meticulous work-ethic, first-class application and the ability of mentors to nurture his skills and talent could contribute to Clyde’s rise to stardom," said Dien.

"Clyde would have played much of his cricket as reserve to the incumbent, Dane Vilas, while Yaseen has spent much of his One Day Cup career on the proverbial substitute bench.

"Their move to the Warriors could produce new chances to them in all formats on the pitch.

"Our best wishes accompany Yaseen and Vallie.

"Contributing to a domestic reservoir of cricket champions are part of our commitment to South African cricket," Dien added.