After a dreadful Champions League T20 campaign in India where the Cape Cobras looked rusty, behind the pace of the game, and in need of fresh energy to revitalise an ageing squad, coach Paul Adams and captain Justin Ontong have got their side back up and running – and quite effectively too.
Admittedly injuries initially forced the infusion of youth, especially among the bowlers, but Adams and Ontong have displayed notable courage to continue with youngsters like left-arm spinner GF Linde and paceman Dane Paterson in this season’s RamSlam T20 Challenge even when the more established players became available for selection.
But now the big day has arrived, with the Cobras facing off against a resurgent Knights team in tonight’s grand finale at Newlands. After last season’s disappointment against the Dolphins “still fresh in the memory” – according to Ontong – we look at how the home side can send 20 000 Capetonians into delirium.
Believe in Omphile Ramela
The fallout after last season’s final defeat had plenty to do with how Aviwe Mgijima was used – or more patently not used – when the all-rounder failed to bowl a single over and was listed at No 10 in the batting order. Mthokozisi Shezi is unlikely to suffer a similar fate as he is a vital member of the Cobras bowling unit, but Ramela too has vindicated his selection with a string of performances that has seen him become “Mr Consistency”. The left-hander is the third highest run-scorer within the Cobras team with 192 runs at 27.66, and his strike-rate is on the rise at 106.07 compared to hovering in the 90s previously.
Forget about last year
Perhaps it is a bit of the refreshing honesty that us media hounds have been yearning for, and not just the same worn-out clichés saying “it’s just another game”, but the uniform message coming out of the Cape Cobras side during this week’s build-up has been of the hurt the players experienced at coming so close last season. It would be almost otherworldly to imagine that it did not affect them. However, now is the time to clear the mind of past experiences and focus simply on the task that lay ahead.
Give Richard Levi the freedom of Newlands
Levi has been great this year. He has displayed outstanding consistency during this campaign, which has propelled the explosive Cobras opener to the summit of the national run-scorers list. There have been some subtle changes to how the 25-year-old approaches his innings – highlighted by a more measured approach at the start. While this has proved beneficial, Levi should break free of any self-imposed shackles in the final.
New-ball bowling
If they want to win, the Cobras have to strike upfront with the new ball. Ironically it was Shezi that stung the home side last season when he was still playing out of the Dolphins franchise, but now he has to replicate that for his new team. He will have the support of the world’s premier fast bowler Dale Steyn charging in from the other end which could provide him with opportunities when Gerhardt Abrahams and Reeza Hendricks look to target him. If the Cobras do allow the dangerous Knights opening pair to get off to a rollicking start.
Pollard v Russell
Both the Cobras and Knights possess talented and hugely exciting all-rounders from the Caribbean islands. The emphasis is on “huge” as Kieron Pollard (Cape Cobras) and Andre Russell (Knights) are two strapping lads that offer high-class fielding, intoxicating spells of bowling and possess the muscle strength with bat in hand to make Newlands look like a postage stamp ground. There is little to choose between the impact both players have made at their respective franchises, with the Trinidadian-turned-Bajan Pollard smashing 200 runs at an average of 66.66 (strike-rate of 168.06) to complement his 11 wickets at 16.33. Russell’s numbers are similarly imposing as theJamaican has blasted 177 runs at 35.40 at a strike-rate of 208.23! So, fans had better watch out for any low-flying balls!
squads for Newlands
Cape Cobras
Justin Ontong (capt), Richard Levi, Hashim Amla, Omphile Ramela, Dane Vilas (wk), Kieron Pollard, Robin Peterson, GF Linde, Dale Steyn, Dane Paterson, Mthokozisi Shezi, SA Engelbrecht, Ferisco Adams, Andrew Puttick.
Knights
Werner Coetsee (capt), Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Diego Rosier, Obus Pienaar, Gerhardt Abrahams, Rudi Second (wk), Andre Russell, Tumelo Bodibe, Quinton Friend, Dillon du Preez, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Malusi Siboto.
Start:6pm
TV: SS2, SSHD - The Star