CAPE TOWN - The Cape Cobras are doing everything within their power to ensure their RamSlam T20 Challenge semi-final against the Dolphins at Kingsmead does indeed get underway.
With rain having forced the abandonment of four of the five matches scheduled for Kingsmead this season, and the prevailing conditions seemingly set for another downpour on Thursday, the Cobras are trying their level best to ensure at least some sort of a game takes place.
Cobras chief executive Nabeal Dien has appealed to Cricket South Africa to extend the cut off time should the game be disrupted by rain, especially as the Dolphins would advance to Saturday’s final should be semi-final be washed out.
“Rain is something that is out of hands and out our control, but I have written to CSA to examine the playing conditions. It is not just about us, but also the spectators who want to see a game. We could lose because of it, but it is not about that. It is about putting on a game of cricket,” Dien told Independent Media.
The Cobras had their destiny in their own hands when they headed into Sunday’s final round of fixtures in second place. However, the doubly whammy of the Cobras losing out to the Warriors, and the Dolphins trouncing a Titans “B” team with a bonus point, meant the Cobras were pushed down to the third place.
There has been great unhappiness over the whole situation, especially on social media where Cobras fans have vented their anger towards the Titans for deliberately fielding an under-strength team.
Dien preferred not to focus on the Titans and their selection policies, and instead had sympathy with the Cobras fans for not delivering a home semi-final.
“If we won our game, then we wouldn’t be talking about all of this right now. I really do feel for the fans because we saw on Friday evening that the Cobras are still best supported team in the country,” he explained.
“Over 10 000 people came to watch the Cobras and everyone had that feeling that they were all coming back on Thursday evening for the semi-final. That’s the disappointing aspect, and perhaps why there is such great anger.
“From our side, obviously there is a financial aspect to it with over 10 000 people in the ground buying food and drink, so we would have liked to replicate that experience. But it’s done and dusted now and all we can do is hope we get in a game of cricket in Durban.”
There is no reserve day scheduled for both semi-finals with the teams who finished higher on the log advancing to the final should matches be abandoned. The Titans face the Warriors in the first semi-final on Wednesday evening at SuperSport Park.