Home final again on the line for Cobras
THE CAPE Cobras are hoping lighting does not strike twice.
It all seems a bit eerie but the exact scenario that faced the Cobras in the final round of the RamSlam T20 Challenge a couple of months ago is now ahead of them this weekend in the Momentum One-Day Cup.
The Cobras have to beat the Warriors today in their final league encounter – just like they needed to in the T20 Challenge – if they are to host a semi-final next week.
However, should they lose in Port Elizabeth and the Dolphins defeat the table-topping Titans at SuperSport Park, the play-off will be moved to KwaZulu-Natal.
Ashwell Prince’s team will be hoping they have learnt from their T20 mistakes. The Cobras lost out to the Warriors on that occasion, thereby squandering their the strike and he has the strength to clear the boundary. He’s done reasonably well in the franchise set-up for two years. He’s shown skill and potential in the SA A side,” said Zondi.
Zondo, who captained the SA A OneDay team last year, previously toured with the Proteas to India three years ago when AB de Villiers led the team to a 3-2 ODI series win, but the 27 year old did not get a look-in over the course of the five matches.
In fact, Zondo’s omission for the final ODI in Mumbai caused a stir within South African cricket when Dean Elgar was sent an SOS after an injury to JP Duminy.
Elgar was selected straight off the plane for the series-decider at the Wankhede Stadium despite Zondo having been part of the touring squad. The fall-out over Zondo’s non-selection caused a group of black African cricketers calling themselves “Black Cricketers in Unity” to send a letter to Cricket South Africa to address their concerns over their treatment in national squads, claiming they are mostly being used as drinks carriers.
Zondi explained that the selection will continue with a rotation policy for the ODI squad through the Sri Lanka series in August, following which he believes he and coach Ottis Gibson, should have a clearer idea of the 15 players South Africa want to pick for the World Cup.
He was quick to add that, it doesn’t mean the team wants to sacrifice results. “The players who we’ve given opportunities to (previously) haven’t embarrassed us, they’ve not weakened the team,” he said. chance of a home semi-final due to the Dolphins smashing an under-strength Titans with a bonus point.
All of this meant the Cobras were forced to travel to Durban, with the rain ultimately the winner as the play-off was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Due to the Dolphins having finished higher on the log, it was they who advanced to the final instead of the Cobras.
“Cricket is a funny old game, isn’t it? chirped Cobras batsman Simon Khomari.
“We looked at the log after Sunday’s game and saw that it has worked out exactly the same way. I wasn’t part of the RamSlam campaign, but I know I enjoy playing at home, and so do the rest of the team.
“We have great support out in Boland and Newlands, so it would be nice to play a couple more white-ball games in front our home crowd. We know what we need to and our destiny is in our own hands.”
Khomari will need to play an integral role at St George’s Park this evening. The young left-hander had made an impact since coming into the Cobras team midway through the competition, contributing 225 runs at an average of 79 in the last four matches.
He holds down the crucial No 3 position and is expected to build partnerships with either the openers or in-form skipper JP Duminy. Although that is a big responsibility, Khomari is still encouraged to play his natural game and express himself at the crease.
“Two weeks ago I didn’t think I’d be standing here talking to you about my performances for the Cobras. No, not all!” said Khomari.
“This all comes after a period of reflection. Over the Christmas period I sat down with a couple of important people in my life and I did a bit of reflecting and decided to up my intensity and work a bit harder.
“I haven’t blown the world away but I’ve had some steady starts that have helped the team. Last year I didn’t show any positivity, I felt like I was always looking over my shoulder. I was very nervous. But this year I have just tried to be myself out there, stick to my guns, and do my thing.”
This positive mindset has reaped rewards, but it could not be achieved without hard work. Khomari will be the first to acknowledge that the extra hours – on Tuesday, on a Cobras’ off-day, he was alone getting throw downs from Prince in the Newlands nets – simply have to be done.
“Work ethic is something we speak a lot about in the Cobras team. It is something the coach drives a helluva lot in the team environment. So if you want to improve your game, work on anything specific, he is the first one at the nets to meet you there. Even on our off days!”
With luck having deserted the Cobras in the latter stages of the T20, they will be hoping Gary Player’s old saying, “The harder I practise, the luckier I get” rings true this weekend as the One-Day Cup draws to a conclusion.