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Cape Town - Knights coach Nicky Boje has warned that the out-of-form Cape Cobras cannot be taken for granted when the two sides meet in the T20 Challenge opener at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The clash is the first of a double-header outing at the Highveld venue, which marks the start of this season’s domestic 20-over calendar.
The two teams have been in contrasting form this term, with the Cape side failing to win any of their five four-day matches, which have included three losses.
On the other hand, the men from Bloemfontein were unbeaten in their first four matches of the season, until they suffered a first loss last weekend.
But two wins from their five games have put them second on the Sunfoil Series table, compared to the bottom for the Cobras.
According to Boje, not much can be read into that: “They’ve got some dangerous individuals in their side and you can in no way take them lightly.
“But as always, we’ll focus on what we need to do and make sure we do those things right. It’s a nice compact tournament and we look forward to doing well.”
The Knights are bolstered this season by the addition of Proteas limited-overs specialist David Miller to their squad and Boje is delighted to have him.
“It’s a serious plus point,” the coach added. “He’s an unbelievable T20 player and hits the ball a long way. So it will be exciting to see him doing that.”
Meanwhile, Cobras coach Paul Adams is hoping a change of format will bring with it a change of fortune for his team.
“We’re hoping for that (a new competition will bring better results),” he explained. “But T20 cricket is so unpredictable and the game can easily go either way.
“But we want to be competing and be playing a good aggressive brand of cricket. But I think we’re ready to go, there’s a lot of excitement from the boys wanting to go out and enjoy the game.
“It’s a new competition and for our boys it’s important we begin on the right foot. We’ve done well in 20 over cricket in the past and we’d like to maintain that record of ours.”
The Cobras’ marquee signing is once again West Indian T20 star Kieron Pollard and he will be available for the entire competition.
“He’s available and will bring a lot to the table for us,” Adams added. “We’re looking forward to having him.”
Knights squad:
Tumelo Bodibe, Patrick Botha, Theunis de Bruyn, Marchant de Lange, Dillon Du Preez, Patrick Kruger, David Miller, Tshepo Ntuli, Diego Rosier, Rudi Second, Luthando Mnyanda, Lwandiswa Zuma, Shadley van Schalkwyk
Cobras squad:
Andrew Puttick, Aviwe Mgijima, Beuran Hendricks, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, George Linde, Jason Smith, Kieron Pollard, Justin Ontong, Keegan Petersen, Lizaad Williams, Omphile Ramela, Richard Levi, Rory Kleinveldt, Stiaan van Zyl, Tshepo Moreki, Zubayr Hamza
HEAD TO HEAD – Knights v Cape Cobras
Matches Played 21
Knights Win 06
Cobras Win 12
Tie 01
No Result 02
