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Cape Town - Cape Cobras' skipper, Justin Ontong commented on the disappointing six-wicket loss to the Titans at Boland Park in Paarl on Wednesday in the T20 Challenge competition.
A new vibrancy was present in the rejuvenated Cobras team, but they scored 20 to 30 runs too little and left too many dot balls unpunished.
The Cobras on 93 for two after 13.5 overs, managed 141 for six.
The Titans on 90 for four after 14.4 overs, hammered 142 for four and cruised to a win with seven balls to spare.
The executioner-in-chief was Albie Morkel, who blasted 34 off 16 balls.
The Cobras conceded 12 extras, which was an alarming statistic to Ontong.
“The execution of our game plans against Albie went awry,” added the captain.
“I also thought we allowed too many dot balls to go by unpunished. In the five overs between the 15th and the 20th, we could not score runs off 12 balls. That is two overs. It is completely unacceptable.”
Former Cobra coach and now TV-analyst, Shukri Conrad said the Cobras “went asleep” between the 15th and 19th over before Kieron Pollard smashed 22 runs in the final over to revive the hosts.
Ontong was unhappy about the way in which the hosts bowled in the final five overs, although he saw a tangible improvement in the fielding and in the energy levels in the field.
Ontong is not deflated by the loss.
He says if the team can address small problem areas successfully, they could break the duck in the T20 Challenge match against the Warriors at Newlands on Friday, starting at 18:00.
“I just think we were 20 to 30 runs too short,” he added.
“We might add Wayne Parnell to our squad for tomorrow,” he said on Thursday as the Cobras were completing preparations for the T20 clash against the Warriors at Newlands on Friday.
Yet, they made a good impression on Wednesday. Their energetic and aggressive approach as well as the determination showed on the park, were definite steps in the right direction.
