Johannesburg - South Africa’s premier first class competition starts on Wednesday - a day earlier than initially scheduled - with a stream of story lines that would make the writers of House of Cards envious.
Cricket South Africa decided to move the first two rounds of the Sunfoil Series a few days earlier to ensure the players likely to feature in the Test squad for the tour to Australia got in some game time.
The likes of Dean Elgar (Titans), Morne Morkel (Titans), Temba Bavuma (Lions), Stephen (Cook), Vernon Philander (Cape Cobras), Dane Piedt (Cape Cobras) and Stiaan van Zyl (Cape Cobras) all fall into that category. They will have at least two matches before they head to Australia - with next week’s round of matches starting on Tuesday.
The drama in the Cape Cobras' camp has dominated the pre-season and although there were some whispers about a possible strike when the team faces the Lions at the Wanderers, it is understood that for now the players will take to the field.
The Cobras players have approached the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration demanding that the recommendations of an independent mediator’s report be implemented. That report, done by Paddy Upton, who was appointed by Western Cape Cricket, is that coach Paul Adams be removed from his position.
Western Cape Cricket have given Adams a two year contract, and publicly backed him, angering the players.
Quite how much of a unit they will be is anyone’s guess. The players and coaches had a meeting on Monday night outlining the importance of a unified approach - on the field at least.
Philander is among the majority of the players supporting the call for Adams to be removed, but also needs to balance his unhappiness about his coach with the need to build some rhythm with the ball ahead of the tour to Australia.
In addition to that drama, Van Zyl has a knee problem and will undergo a fitness test, while skipper Justin Ontong, split the webbing on his hand and will miss the Wanderers match, with Omphile Ramela, another firmly in the camp wanting Adams to be removed, captaining the side.
The Lions have some concerns over new signing Reeza Hendricks, who has a sore back, but in Cook and Bavuma, they have a pair of Test incumbents who showed some good form against New Zealand and will be looking to replicate that for their franchise.
North of the Jukskei all eyes will be on Morkel, who is hoping to get up to speed quickly as the Titans take on the Knights. Morkel missed the Tests against New Zealand with a back problem and was working alongside the Proteas squad as they wrapped up preparations for the ODIs against Australia. He had a support strapped to his back as he did exercises with the Proteas physio Brandon Jackson and also bowled a few deliveries although not off his full run.
If he does play the Knights it will most likely be under instruction from the national team about exactly how many overs he bowls per session each day. Elgar rolled his ankle the day before the second Test against New Zealand so will be eager to get some time at the crease, and like the bowlers, establish some rhythm.
The Dolphins head to East London to face the Warriors, desperate to show that the off the field issues which have dogged the administrative office in Durban, will have no effect on a side that lost Dave Miller to the Knights, Kyle Abbott to the Warriors and will also be without Andile Phehlukwayo for the first two matches of the competition.
The Star