CAPE TOWN – Torrential rains and gale-force winds played havoc with both teams on the first day of the Sunfoil Series clash between the Cape Cobras and the Warriors on Monday.
Although the Western Cape is desperately in need of the rains due to the heavy water restrictions in the region, it was still frustrating, considering it was the opening day of the new season at Newlands.
The Cobras had played their previous two Sunfoil Series matches away in Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth, while they have also played a “home” game in Oudtshoorn last week.
Play only got under way after lunch, with the entire first session lost due to the elements. Cobras captain Dane Piedt won the toss and immediately inserted the visitors.
His bowlers, though, only managed to bowl 28.3 overs before the storm returned, sending the Newlands groundstaff off on another mad rush to protect the square from the gushing rains, with the Warriors on 82/3.
During the time the players were on the field, the home team’s bowling unit looked arguably the most penetrative they have been all season.
The inclusion of teenage left-arm seamer Michael Cohen has certainly provided the Cobras with an element of aggression and extra pace that has been lacking thus far.
The former Reddam House prodigy certainly hustled and bustled his way to the crease and delivered 8.3 overs with great enthusiasm.
He did err in line and length on occasion, often over-pitching or being too short outside the off-stump, but the 19-year-old will be forgiven for those errors for he was easily the most threatening Cobras bowler.
He earned just rewards for his efforts when he removed both Warriors openers. The left-armer had Eddie Moore (19 off 20 balls) well-caught by Pieter Malan at point, before Gionne Koopman (15 off 41 balls) timidly chipped the ball to mid-on.
Koopman’s wicket was sandwiched between Colin Ackerman (9 off 11 balls) shouldering arms to Cohen’s new-ball partner Lizaad Williams to leave the Warriors delicately placed at 59/3.
There was, however, no further success for the Cobras bowlers, with Yaseen Vallie (26 off 60 balls) and Jerry Nqolo (12 off 39 balls) keeping the home side at bay until the weather brought an early close to proceedings.
Brief Scores
Warriors 82/3 (Yaseen Vallie 26 not out, Jerry Nqolo 12 not out; Michael Cohen 2/37, Lizaad Williams 1/23)
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