Kleinveldt is the big Cobras game-changer
OFTEN in this era of professionalism and franchise domestic cricket, the sense of traditional rivalry has been lost. Provincialism has been replaced with familiarity due to teams playing each other so often.
However, there remains something special about an old “North v South” derby. Regardless of whether you watched the former South African Cricket Union or “Board cricket” (SACB) clashes, there was always that extra bit in the air when Western Province faced off against the old Transvaal.
There were heroes aplenty on each team. The late Clive Rice and Abdul Haq “Jack” Manack in the respective “Vaalie” teams, while Province boasted legends like Eddie Barlow and Saait Magiet in their two sides.
Fortunately we can now watch only one team from each region with classy players from all backgrounds playing together in today’s crucial Momentum One-Day Cup clash between Cape Cobras and Highveld Lions at Boland Park in Paarl.
There is an extra bit of spice to today’s meeting, for the Lions are the defending champions, having come to Newlands and virtually stolen the silverware last season. The Cobras had been the form team throughout the competition and had looked set to claim the trophy, only for Stephen Cook’s team to produce the goods when it mattered most.
A lot has transpired since that sunlit day at Newlands with both camps undergoing big changes, but both squads will be more determined than ever to fight for the all-important points on offer.
The Cobras have suffered a couple of hiccups although they remain in third position on the 2017 log with seven points after four matches.
The Lions, meanwhile, are in the basement with four points, but have played one match fewer than their coastal rivals. Victory for either side will be a huge confidence-booster with the business end of the competition fast approaching.
The home side has shown glimpses of its abilities in the wins over the Warriors and Dolphins and will look to go on a streak like they did last season when they enjoyed a four-match winning run that secured a home final.
Crucial to this outcome will undoubtedly be the senior players’ performances, most notably that of all-rounder Rory Kleinveldt. The 33-year-old’s vast experience came to the fore with the bat and ball in the last outing in Pietermaritzburg when he clubbed a crucial 26 not out off 15 balls and claimed 4/48.
Kleinveldt (pictured) is a derby veteran and is also intimately aware of the historical rivalry that exists between the two teams with his uncle, Jonny Kleinveldt, having represented the WP Board team in the former Howa Bowl.
“I’m a little bit too young to have watched a lot of my uncle playing provincial cricket, but I know all the stories of when Province played Transvaal back in the day. There are some classics,” Kleinveldt said. “Whenever I’ve played against the (Gauteng) Strikers, Lions… it’s been a tough contest. They’re the champions and will come hard at us, especially with them being at the bottom of the table. They’ll really want the points but we’re ready for the challenge.”
The Cobras received a boost yesterday with Omphile Ramela passed fit. Ramela had been struggling with a quad strain but the left-hander is ready to open the innings alongside Richard Levi.
The home side are likely to go back to a two-pronged spin attack with left-armer George Linde joining captain Dane Piedt, an off-spinner. The tactic was unsuccessfully employed against the Knights in Bloemfontein, but Piedt is hoping for better fortune in the more familiar surroundings of Boland Park.
It is hoped that the two spinners will be able to tie up an inexperienced Lions batting order which has lost its two Test stalwarts, Cook and Temba Bavuma, to national duty in New Zealand.