CAPE TOWN – “I will play for free,” said Cape Cobras new recruit Eddie Leie.
The Proteas leg-spinner joined the Cobras on Tuesday on loan from the Highveld Lions for the duration of the Momentum One-Day Cup and will look to make an immediate impact in Wednesday’s crucial clash against the Dolphins at Boland Park.
Leie has been out of favour at the Wanderers since coming back from a hamstring injury and will add a great deal of energy and zest to a Cobras line-up urgently in need of a boost.
He bowled with plenty of enthusiasm at training on Tuesday, blended in well with his new teammates, and even stayed on for an extra hour to practise even more.
“I am loving being in Cape Town, here under the mountain,” Leie told Independent Media. “I just want to play and make an impact and help the Cobras move up the table.
“I have a year left on my contract at the Lions, so I could have stayed in Joburg and just sat back and collected a salary. But that’s not what I am about. I want to play and make a contribution.
“The Lions’ spinners have done well, so I don’t have any hang-ups about not playing there. I just want to play. I will even play for free if I have to. I’m just happy to have been granted this opportunity with the Cobras”.
Leie is certainly a larger-than-life character with his effervescent personality, inked-up arms, gold chains and unique fashion style. But all of that funk will mean nothing on the cricket field if he can’t back it up performances.
The 30-year-old is acutely aware of this and is therefore elated to join up with Cobras captain Dane Piedt. The pair bowled in tandem for South Africa A and Leie is certainly excited by the reunion and also being able to work his mentor and former Proteas Test spinner Paul Adams on a daily basis.
“I love bowling with off-spinners. We’ve always worked well together in the past. Piedtie is classy bowler and I’m sure we’re going to strike up a great partnership.
“I can’t mention what a quality human being Piedtie is. He called me up and said ‘Don’t you want to come on loan down here?’ It takes a great human being to call another spinner and offer him a place. That shows he’s thinking of the team’s interests before his personal interests.
“Working with ‘Gogi’ is also great. We come a long way, since I was very young. We already worked on a few things at training and the rhythm already feels better,” he said.
Leie’s inclusion in the Cobras line-up is one of three changes to the side that was pipped at Boland Park on Friday. Veteran middle-order batsman Justin Ontong will sit out along with seamer Zakhele Qwabe and left-arm spinner George Linde to accommodate Leie, Proteas returnee Dane Paterson and Keegan Petersen.
Equally, the Dolphins have been significantly reinforced with their own national players returning for this all-important class. World No 1 ODI and T20 bowler Imran Tahir will be in action in Paarl along with star young all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo.
Big-hitting opener Cameron Delport also returns to the Dolphins line-up with the east coast side opting to rest former captain Morne van Wyk after his whirlwind trip to Lahore to play in the Pakistan Super League final.
“It is great to have the likes of Andile and Imran back,” Dolphins coach Grant Morgan said. “They have been absolute world-beaters for the Proteas and it will be good to have them back in the mix going forward in the Momentum One Day Cup.
“With the likes of those two and Cameron Delport back in the mix, it’s definitely one of the strongest squads we could assemble."
Squads:
Cape Cobras: Richard Levi, Omphile Ramela, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas, Keegan Petersen, Aviwe Mgijima, Dane Piedt (c ), Rory Kleinveldt, Dane Paterson, Eddie Leie, Lizaad Williams.
Dolphins: Cody Chetty, Rabian Engelbrecht, Sarel Erwee, Rob Frylinck, Sibonelo Makhanya, Senuran Muthusamy, Kyle Nipper, Calvin Savage, Mthokozisi Shezi, Prenelan Subrayen, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Morné van Wyk, Khaya Zondo (c).
Start:
2pm. TV: SS2.