Cape Town - The Cape Cobras have welcomed the return of Proteas star JP Duminy into their squad for upcoming T20 Challenge matches.
The Cobras host the Knights at Newlands on Wednesday (December 7, 18:00), before travelling to Port Elizabeth for a clash against the Warriors at St George's Park on Friday (December 9, 18:00). The Cape side then conclude their week by taking on the Highveld Lions at Boland Park in Paarl on Sunday (December 11, 14:30).
“The home support and the fact that we have JP Duminy back in our squad are crucial factors if we are to claim a semi-final playoff spot,” said Paul Adams, head coach of the Cape Cobras.
“It is a big week for us and we need to achieve a hat-trick of wins. So our fans will be important,” Adams added.
The Cobras are currently fifth on the standings, having won just two of seven games, could make the playoffs with good showings in their final three game.
They will also be buoyed by beating the Dolphins in Durban at the weekend.
“As a team we have been in a good space for a while now and we have played good, exciting cricket. Unfortunately, because of the rain, we might have been denied two wins,” said Adams.
“Crucially, in our seven-wicket win against the Dolphins on Sunday where we were required to break a record in order to eclipse their 178 for five, we performed superbly against the spinners in the middle period.
“That is where Richard (Levi) and Dane (Vilas) kept on reaching the boundary ropes against them.
“One of the things we have been talking about during the whole CSA T20 Challenge campaign, is not to allow too many dot balls but to rotate the strike continuously. That is something we did very well in Durban.”
Adams stated that the bowlers, although they were on the receiving end of a good 79 by Kevin Pietersen, displayed good energy throughout the 20 overs and expects that they will improve significantly during the next week.
Duminy is arguably one of the finest T20 specialists in the world, and might be required to bat at number three for the Cobras. It is not completely unfamiliar territory for the Proteas-batsman, who opened the innings in the limited formats on many occasions for the Cape franchise.
According to Adams, the Cobras are in rampant mood and the good crowd support at Newlands on Wednesday and at Boland Park on Sunday might just get them over the line.