Basic application is the key if the Cape Cobras are to get their season going, according to assistant coach Ashwell Prince.
After a winter of discontent down at Newlands due to senior players lodging a formal grievance against coach Paul Adams that has ended up at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), the ructions streamed over on to the field this past weekend.
The Cobras were bundled out for 102 and 211 at the Wanderers to go down by 10 wickets to the Highveld Lions in just a bit over two days in the opening Sunfoil Series match of the season.
There’s no doubt that The Bullring pitch was not the road the Proteas had played the second ODI against Australia on a week earlier, but even with it being a bit spicy it’s inexcusable that a batting line-up that boasts some of the best talent in the country – both young and experienced – were rolled over in such a manner.
Although the Lions also only managed 154 in 52.5 overs during their first innings, the pitch was not completely unplayable, especially with Proteas Test star Temba Bavuma stroking an undefeated 74 in that innings.
Equally, the Cobras were bailed out in their second innings by a young all-rounder Jason Smith who was only playing his second first-class franchise match. Smith agonisingly missed out on a maiden Cobras century by just five runs in the second innings after falling for 95.
Dane Piedt, who batted at No 9 in both innings, also showed the more distinguished batsmen in the Cobras team what was required on that Wanderers pitch by spending 51 minutes in the first innings and a further 117 minutes in the second to put together scores of 22 and 41.
“The wicket was a bit lively,” admitted Prince, who is on SuperSport commentary duty here at St George’s Park.
“The new ball did zip around a bit, but that’s what first-class cricket is all about. It’s tough batting against the new ball, but we will need to find a way to grind out an innings.
“Temba showed us that runs could be scored on that wicket. He was simply patient against the good balls and despatched the bad ones to the fence. Jason Smith… the kid played really, really well. And Piedtie really worked hard. Showed a lot of character. He made the bowlers bowl to him. If it was wide or short, he went hard at it and when the ball was straight he kept it out. Basic application.”
The Cobras batting unit, in conjunction with Prince, will certainly need to clear their heads and start focusing on what’s in front of them. The former Sunfoil Series champions travel to Bloemfontein this weekend where an in-form Knights side lay in wait.
The central franchise are fresh off a win over defending champions, the Titans, this past weekend and possesses a quality new-ball attack.
Off-season acquisition Marchant de Lange has proved his worth to his new employers with a brilliant haul of 7/23 that sent the Titans packing for 53 in their second innings. This was after South Africa A paceman Duane Olivier had already wrecked havoc in the first innings with figures of 6/60.
Olivier ultimately finished with a match-haul of 9/90 after taking a further three second innings wickets.