CAPE TOWN – There was a moment on the third afternoon that embodied this new Cape Cobras side.
It was the final ball of an extra-long day, and Dane Paterson went racing towards the mid-wicket boundary and flung himself towards the rope to save a single.
It was a superb effort, but even more remarkable due to the fact that Paterson had just completed 10 superb overs with the second new ball, which resulted in three game-changing wickets.
It is this type of commitment, coupled with supreme skills, that has seen the Cobras romp to their fourth successive victory of the 4-Day series on Thursday.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the boys. We have won games from different positions, which was a really pleasing thing for me.
“There were moments in the game that stand out, we had two hundreds and two five-fors, but it was a complete team performance.
“There are moments when people need to crack the game open, and that’s what they did. I have just been so proud how we have responded to it,” Cobras captain Dane Piedt said after the five-wicket victory over the Dolphins.
Despite his exertions on Wednesday, Paterson returned on Thursday to wrap up the Dolphins second innings with two further wickets to finish with a career-best 6/63.
There was also the big wicket of Dane Vilas (72) for Vernon Philander that saw the Dolphins close their innings on 282 – a lead of 170.
The Cobras’ run-chase endured a couple of hiccups before Philander finished the job, along with Aviwe Mgijima (43 not out), with a lofted drive off Proteas left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.
WATCH: Vernon Philander hits the winning runs to take the @CobrasCricket to a comfortable five-wicket victory over the Dolphins! Cobras: 173/5 (Mgijima 43*, Philander 15*, Maharaj 3/49) #4DaySeries #COBvDOL @IOLsport pic.twitter.com/Occvjp7LOY
— Zaahier Adams (@ZaahierAdams) November 1, 2018
Piedt was not overly concerned with the nervy end to proceedings, and believed it was all part of the process for his young team.
“Our middle-order is made up of Hamza, Bedingham, Verreynne, Mgijima... all young cricketers in first-class cricket.
“But again, it shows they are capable of doing it. There will be speed bumps in their careers, but that’s part and parcel of the profession we chose.
WATCH: "I'm very proud of the boys," says @CobrasCricket captain @dane_piedt63 after their five-wicket win against the Dolphins. #COBvDOL #4DaySeries @IOLsport pic.twitter.com/fVCoAGIRjk
— Zaahier Adams (@ZaahierAdams) November 1, 2018
“Again, they are not youngsters, but young stars. In my eyes, every one of them can go up and play higher honours,” the skipper said.
The table-topping Cobras don’t have much time to celebrate this victory, though, as they are back on the park this coming Monday, when they head to their alternate home venue Boland Park in Paarl to host the Highveld Lions.
VICTORY! 🐍💙
That’s four out four wins in the 4-Day Domestic Series for the @WorldSportsBet Cape Cobras. Philander (15*) with a six to seal a five-wicket victory against @DolphinsCricket. Mgijima remains unbeaten on 43
Still top of the log! 👏 #StrengthInDiversity #4DaySeries pic.twitter.com/dtwAUtKTJJ
— COBRAS CRICKET (@CobrasCricket) November 1, 2018
@ZaahierAdams