Cobras can still turn it around, says JP Duminy

JP Duminy said soft dismissals were the root cause of the seven-wicket defeat against the Titans. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

JP Duminy said soft dismissals were the root cause of the seven-wicket defeat against the Titans. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

Published Nov 20, 2017

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CAPE TOWN – “The Cape Cobras are by no means out of the running in the RamSlam T20 Challenge. We still have a long way to go. We just need a win to gain confidence and momentum,” says skipper JP Duminy.

This comes after a tough weekend on the highveld, where the Cobras suffered defeats to both the Lions and Titans on Friday and Sunday respectively.

Duminy also said that Cobras opener Richard Levi went for an X-ray on his badly bruised finger, but there is still uncertainty as to whether he will be fit and ready for the next game.

The Cape Cobras face a rematch with the Lions at Boland Park in Paarl on Friday, and will also face the Knights at Newlands on Sunday.

Duminy admitted the team lost some momentum in the final four overs on Friday while assembling 169/6 against the Lions.

The visitors were well-placed on 151/4 after 17 overs, but could not take sufficient advantage to reach 185, despite a superb 55 by Duminy off 31 balls.

“We missed a few opportunities (in the field) at crucial moments. Unfortunately, those misses can define a result. Yet, we are not blaming anybody for mistakes,” Duminy said.

Duminy said soft dismissals were the root cause of the seven-wicket defeat against the Titans. The Cobras slumped to 67/5 and at least three of those wickets were gifts to the hosts at SuperSport Park.

“Assessing conditions and adapting earlier is one of the lessons we learned from the weekend,” Duminy said.

On a wicket with variable bounce, some Cobras batsmen will rue the shots they played and with the benefit of hindsight better judgement should have been, but again, Duminy steered away from criticising individuals.

Don't miss @WorldSportsBet @CobrasCricket at Eurolux Boland Park, Paarl this Friday 24 Nov 6pm vs Lions for a #RamSlam T20 clash. Tickets at @TicketProSA pic.twitter.com/LKbbczaGG8

— COBRAS CRICKET (@CobrasCricket) November 20, 2017

“You need to assess and communicate which shot you need to play on which type of wicket early,” he said.

Duminy stressed that the Cobras discussed their RamSlam T20 Challenge campaign and said they can either fight or flee, but they will opt to fight.

“Our character is tested and we can still turn it around. There’s still a long way to go. We just need something to go our way.

“The key for us is that both departments will be working at the same time. We must just be street-smart about the way we go about our business.

“When we don’t execute our game plans well from a bowling perspective, we will suffer against some of the best players in the world. We have to be on top of our game.”

Duminy, though, was impressed with the body language and the intensity shown by the Cobras in the field, when Proteas seamer Vernon Philander had the Titans reeling on 13/2 after striking twice in his first two overs.

@ZaahierAdams

 

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