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Bloemfontein - The Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras have their Sunfoil Series destiny in their own hands.
And their chances of recapturing the domestic four-day-trophy were bolstered by the availability of national bowler Rory Kleinveldt for the final four-day match of the season against the Chevrolet Knights starting at Chevrolet Park on Thursday.
The Cobras are currently top of the Sunfoil Series log with 111.26 points. Their closest rivals, the bizhub Highveld Lions (101.6) and the Chevrolet Warriors (96), will be at loggerheads at Axxess St. George’s, also from Thursday.
“We need tunnel vision for the match against the Knights. Our focus is on winning the match, not on the cup,” said Justin Ontong, the visiting skipper.
“It is pivotal that we amass a substantial first-innings score. We batted poorly against the Lions and the Dolphins at Sahara Park Newlands in our first innings, and paid the ultimate price. We should have won the match against the Dolphins, but our batting let us down.
“Obviously we addressed it in the match against the Nashua Titans and will move to Bloemfontein confident after a solid batting display against the Titans.”
The Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras suffered a setback during the Nashua Titans match. They lost their batting all-rounder, Alistair Gray. He sustained a broken forearm and will be replaced by Richard Levi.
The national selectors have released Kleinveldt for Sunfoil Series duty.
“We don’t expect any favours from any of the other title contenders. We have to produce top-class cricket and perform to win it,” said Paul Adams, the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras’ coach.
The Chevrolet Knights have been revitalized by a superb performance against the bizhub Highveld Lions. Rilee Rossouw scored 80, Obus Pienaar contributed an attractive half-century and the bowling attack had the bizhub Highveld Lions in disarray for extended periods before the second last Sunfoil Series match of the season ended in a stalemate.
Sarel Cilliers, the Chevrolet Knights’ coach, said two of their young guns, Rossouw and Pienaar, have flourished lately as they have accepted their responsibilities as senior players in the absence of the injured Morné van Wyk and Dean Elgar (promoted to the SA Test team).
Cilliers lamented the loss of their bowling spearhead, Quinton Friend, because of a leg injury, and the limited availability of Ryan McLaren.
As a result the bowling attack has lacked fire-power and has not found it easy to take quick wickets. Nevertheless their consistency and discipline has been admirable.
Cilliers saluted the contribution made by 25-year-old Malusi Soboto, who has captured 23 wickets in six matches at an average of 23.52.
The Chevrolet Knights are out of the title-race with 85.34 points. “But we don’t have agenda to benefit the Cobras. There won’t be any free-bees on offer. Our only agenda is to add to our tally of wins for the season,” said Cilliers.
And their chances of recapturing the domestic four-day-trophy were bolstered by the availability of national bowler Rory Kleinveldt for the final four-day match of the season against the Chevrolet Knights starting at Chevrolet Park on Thursday.
The Cobras are currently top of the Sunfoil Series log with 111.26 points. Their closest rivals, the bizhub Highveld Lions (101.6) and the Chevrolet Warriors (96), will be at loggerheads at Axxess St. George’s, also from Thursday.
“We need tunnel vision for the match against the Knights. Our focus is on winning the match, not on the cup,” said Justin Ontong, the visiting skipper.
“It is pivotal that we amass a substantial first-innings score. We batted poorly against the Lions and the Dolphins at Sahara Park Newlands in our first innings, and paid the ultimate price. We should have won the match against the Dolphins, but our batting let us down.
“Obviously we addressed it in the match against the Nashua Titans and will move to Bloemfontein confident after a solid batting display against the Titans.”
The Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras suffered a setback during the Nashua Titans match. They lost their batting all-rounder, Alistair Gray. He sustained a broken forearm and will be replaced by Richard Levi.
The national selectors have released Kleinveldt for Sunfoil Series duty.
“We don’t expect any favours from any of the other title contenders. We have to produce top-class cricket and perform to win it,” said Paul Adams, the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras’ coach.
The Chevrolet Knights have been revitalized by a superb performance against the bizhub Highveld Lions. Rilee Rossouw scored 80, Obus Pienaar contributed an attractive half-century and the bowling attack had the bizhub Highveld Lions in disarray for extended periods before the second last Sunfoil Series match of the season ended in a stalemate.
Sarel Cilliers, the Chevrolet Knights’ coach, said two of their young guns, Rossouw and Pienaar, have flourished lately as they have accepted their responsibilities as senior players in the absence of the injured Morné van Wyk and Dean Elgar (promoted to the SA Test team).
Cilliers lamented the loss of their bowling spearhead, Quinton Friend, because of a leg injury, and the limited availability of Ryan McLaren.
As a result the bowling attack has lacked fire-power and has not found it easy to take quick wickets. Nevertheless their consistency and discipline has been admirable.
Cilliers saluted the contribution made by 25-year-old Malusi Soboto, who has captured 23 wickets in six matches at an average of 23.52.
The Chevrolet Knights are out of the title-race with 85.34 points. “But we don’t have agenda to benefit the Cobras. There won’t be any free-bees on offer. Our only agenda is to add to our tally of wins for the season,” said Cilliers.
