Cape Argus

Cobras to roll selection dice to climb ladder

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

THE Titans remain in pole position to claim the Sunfoil Series title after stretching their lead at the top of the table to 6.96 points heading into their clash with the Warriors in East London which starts today.

But with less than seven points separating second from fifth on the ladder, there are five teams that remain in contention to lift the trophy. It is only the Highveld Lions, the only team to have lost two matches this season, that appear to be out of the title race 20 points adrift.

The Lions will certainly take confidence from their last outing in Paarl where they refused to fold despite a mammoth 500plus first innings score by the Cape Cobras. They responded with a record-breaking partnershi­p of their own through hefty contributi­ons from Stephen Cook and Rassie van der Dussen. The fact that two senior players stepped up would have filled the Lions with plenty of confidence heading into this week’s fixture against the Knights in Kimberley.

Meanwhile, the Cobras are set to gamble on six specialist batsmen and five bowlers in their quest to take 20 wickets this weekend in Pietermari­tzburg. Ashwell Prince’s side have been competitiv­e throughout the Sunfoil Series, but have yet to claim that much-needed victory despite dominating their last two contests against the Lions and Titans.

It is for this reason that the Cobras are likely to gamble on young leg-spinner Junaid Dawood along with captain Dane Piedt in a bid to break down the Dolphins’ resistance. “I think we need three out of three to win the competitio­n... it is highly improbable that two out of three wins will propel you to the title,” Prince said.

“We have to be brave in terms of possibly selecting two spinners. The 21-year-old leg-spinner Junaid Dawood is considered seriously for the role of second spinner and match-winner.”

Dawood, who returned to the Cape this season after a spell at Eastern Province after finishing school, has progressed steadily this season in the Western Province “semi-pro” team. “Leg-spinners have the ability to take wickets, even when they bowl full-tosses that dip on a batsman,” Prince said of Dawood, who claimed 4/33 in his last match for WP against Gauteng.

The Cobras also welcome back batting pair Pieter Malan and Zubayr Hamza after their efforts for South Africa “A” against a world-class Australian fast bowling line-up last week in Benoni.

The Cobras could spring a further surprise with the inclusion of veteran batsman Andrew Puttick in the line-up. The travelling squad is yet to be released, but Independen­t Media understand­s that the 37-year-old opener could be recalled from the wilderness for the all-important clash at the Pietermari­tzburg Oval.

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