Beuran Hendricks will make his Cobras return tomorrow as the defending four-day champions begin their campaign against the Lions at Newlands.
The left-hander enjoyed a stellar season for the Cobras last season which saw him take 52 wickets in 17 appearances across all competitions.
A back injury, however, has seen Hendricks miss the entire season for the Cobras so far, making tomorrow’s match his first appearance for his franchise despite injuring his finger while playing for the SA Invitational side against the touring West Indies in Benoni last week.
“Beuran has come through... and he is raring to get back to competitive cricket. He will play against the Lions and so will Rory (Kleinveldt),” said Cobras coach Paul Adams.
“I think we will have a very good bowling attack with (Mthokozisi) Shezi, Beuran, Rory while Pato (Dane Paterson) will also be available.”
Last season’s top wicket-taker in the four-day series, Dane Peidt remains a doubt for the game as the off-spinner is recovering from a shoulder injury picked up at this year’s T20 Champions League.
Young left-arm spinner GF Linde will likely play the main spinning role with skipper Justin Ontong and Yaseen Vallie expected to supplement the spin bowling department.
Vallie will fill an important role in the Lions clash as the 25-year-old will fill the gap left by Stiaan van Zyl, who is expected to make his debut for the Proteas in the first Test against the West Indies in Centurion from today.
“With Stiaan gone we will bring Richard Levi in to open the batting with Andrew Puttick, which will push Omphile Ramela down to third. Vallie has done well for us in the four-day series before, so we felt the time has come for him to be given a major role in the side,” Adams said.