JOHANNESBURG – Former South Africa batsman Stiaan van Zyl returns to the Cape Cobras at number four for his side’s Sunfoil Series four-day clash against the Titans in Benoni, on Thursday.
Van Zyl has struck 23 centuries in 152 first-class matches with an average of 43.42 and will be expected to be the kingpin in the batting lineup.
“This is a crucial game. If we lose, there will be daylight between the Titans (currently at the summit with 79.68 points) and the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras (on 64.14 points),” said Prince.
“We have done it before. This season we beat them in white-ball cricket. Last season, while they were cruising to the title we were victorious as well,” he said.
Prince has covered his bases by taking two specialist spin bowlers to Benoni for the match starting on Thursday.
GF Linde or Jason Smith might be used at number seven to cover as second spinner or fourth seam bowler.
Pieter Malan, with 446 runs, and Zubayr Hamza, with 303 runs, have both been prolific this season, while Aviwe Mgijima has notched up a century and a half-century in the first half of the competition.
World Sports Betting Cape Cobras Squad: Dane Piedt (Captain), Michael Cohen, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Khomari, George Linde, Pieter Malan, Aviwe Mgijima, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Dane Paterson, Jason Smith, Stiaan van Zyl, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams.