Cape Town - Highveld Lions batsman Gulam Bodi has hit back after the Cobras' Charl Langeveldt said the Lions are "mentally scarred" going into the One-Day Cup final at the Wanderers on Friday.
The Cobras bowler made the statement referring back to the Lions crushing defeat in the Champions League T20 final to Australian side, the Sydney Sixers.
The Lions surprised by making the final but came horribly unstuck against the Aussies, losing the game by 10 wickets at the Wanderers.
And Langeveldt, who will miss the One-Day Cup final final due to injury, believes the mental scars from that came will still be evident on Friday.
But opening batsman Bodi has hit back, insisting they'll be ready for the showpiece at the Bullring.
"It's a big statement to make, especially as the Cobras didn't even play on the Champions League and he (Langeveldt) isn't playing tomorrow (Friday)," Bodi told the Beeld website.
"We weren't great in that final, but we played brilliant to get there."
Bodi said his charges were happy with their underdogs tag against a Cobras team full of international stars.
"The Cobras are definitely the favourites, but that's how we like it. We are at our best when no-one gives us a chance - I believe Charl will realise that once again."
The Cobras have the luxury of utilising international players in Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Rory Kleinveldt and Robin Peterson.
The Lions look likely to pick only Alviro Peterson among their players returning from international duty after coach Geoffrey Toyana earlier this week hinted he won’t pick wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile and struggling leg spinner Imran Tahir.
Play starts from 15:00 on Friday.
The Cobras bowler made the statement referring back to the Lions crushing defeat in the Champions League T20 final to Australian side, the Sydney Sixers.
The Lions surprised by making the final but came horribly unstuck against the Aussies, losing the game by 10 wickets at the Wanderers.
And Langeveldt, who will miss the One-Day Cup final final due to injury, believes the mental scars from that came will still be evident on Friday.
But opening batsman Bodi has hit back, insisting they'll be ready for the showpiece at the Bullring.
"It's a big statement to make, especially as the Cobras didn't even play on the Champions League and he (Langeveldt) isn't playing tomorrow (Friday)," Bodi told the Beeld website.
"We weren't great in that final, but we played brilliant to get there."
Bodi said his charges were happy with their underdogs tag against a Cobras team full of international stars.
"The Cobras are definitely the favourites, but that's how we like it. We are at our best when no-one gives us a chance - I believe Charl will realise that once again."
The Cobras have the luxury of utilising international players in Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Rory Kleinveldt and Robin Peterson.
The Lions look likely to pick only Alviro Peterson among their players returning from international duty after coach Geoffrey Toyana earlier this week hinted he won’t pick wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile and struggling leg spinner Imran Tahir.
Play starts from 15:00 on Friday.