Mthokozisi SheziI, Rory Kleinveldt and Dane Paterson will form a three-pronged strike bowling force for the Cape Cobras when they travel to the Wanderers to face the Lions on Saturday.
Shezi will play for the Cobras at the Wanderers before joining up with the South Africa A side in Bloemfontein – the left-handed fast bowler will remain with the A side for the duration of their one-day series against the England Lions.
While Shezi will only join up with the A side on Sunday, up to four of his Cobras teammates will be in action on the day as Stiaan van Zyl, Beuran Hendricks, Justin Ontong and Dane Vilas could all play in first one-day match against the English tourists.
As a result of Ontong and Vilas featuring for the A side, Cobras coach Paul Adams has turned to the experienced hand of Robin Peterson to guide the side, not only for this weekend but for the remainder of the One-Day Cup’s group stage.
“I have captained South Africa A and the Warriors before, so it is nothing new for me, plus I think that being a spinner you always have to think one step ahead... it won’t be a massive change for me.” said Peterson.
“I just have to get the bowling quota right especially when it comes to the death, but overall I think I will be comfortable as captain.”
The one-day competition returns this weekend after a two-month break. In that break the Cobras won the T20 title but have struggled in the four-day competition, finding themselves bottom of the log at the moment.
However, in the first half of the One-day Cup the Cobras were the form side, and after six matches they top the log with 21 points, five ahead of the Lions.
“I still think this competition is wide open even though we are five points ahead,” said Peterson. “So we still need to stick to our basics make sure that we stay on top. Hopefully when the senior guys come back we will already be in the final.”
With four games left in the round-robin phase, the Cobras could secure top spot in the log with two more wins if other results go their way.
Finishing top of the log at the end of the league phase will ensure a home final, with the teams finishing second and third playing off for the other spot in the final.
“The Lions are doing really well at the moment but this is a format where we top the log. I think we need two more wins to get the home final so it is crucially important for us to go out there and get those points. We have done really well in this competition without really playing the perfect game, so we need to keep improving.”
As it stands, Peterson is the leading wicket-taker for the Cobras with 11 scalps, and after recovering from a finger injury the 33-year-old is looking to continue his good form in the competition.
“This is my first game back from injury so you can’t try and be too fancy in your comeback game... I will just be sticking to the basics as well I can and that goes for the bowling, batting and fielding. I am happy with the way the ball is coming out of my hand and I know exactly what I am trying to do with the ball. Obviously I will need to adapt to the conditions on the day but I am pretty happy with my bowling.”
Wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin will be making his Cobras debut on Saturday and Peterson believes the stage is set for the 19-year-old to kick on in his career.
“He is an exciting talent, one day in the future he can be a match-winner for us, and the boys are fully behind him. As I said he is a talent so now he has the chance to step up and make his mark at franchise level so early into his career.”
Fortuin, who last year was part of the South African under-19 side which won the World Cup, is looking forward to making his Cobras debut.
“It has been a childhood dream of mine to play for the Cobras so I am a little nervous, but I suppose it’s good. You always want to make your debut at your home ground but the Wanderers is not a bad place to do it either,” said Fortuin.
As he will be coming in for an experienced wicketkeeper in Vilas, Fortuin admits that there might be added pressure on him.
“As a wicketkeeper you play a vital role in the side. I mean you can almost expect every ball to be coming to you in an innings. I will just go out there and do my best, hopefully I can pull off a great catch to settle some of the nerves.”
Billed as an opener in one-day cricket, Fortuin will come into the Cobras batting line-up at number three, which will cause Omphile Ramela and Yaseen Vallie to drop down one place in the order.
This season Fortuin has played four one-day matches for Western Province, scoring 142 runs, with a top score of 80.
Despite the teenager playing as an opener in those matches, he is looking forward to a different role for the Cobras.
“As long as I get to bat I do not mind where I come in. I do not really see myself as a guy that clears boundaries all the time, I sort of just take the chances as they come.
“I would like to show that I am capable of anchoring an innings so anywhere in the top four is fine with me. Of course if the team needs me to bat further down then I will do so.”
Cobras team v Lions: Robin Peterson (captain), Andrew Puttick, Richard Levi, Clyde Fortuin, Omphile Ramela, Yaseen Vallie, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Justin Kemp, Rory Kleinveldt, Mthokozisi Shezi, Dane Paterson - Cape Argus