A whisper from Rory and Ontong can go a long way
THE CAPE COBRAS have resisted the temptation to blood teenage wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne in today’s Sunfoil Series encounter against the Titans at Newlands.
The South African Under-19 gloveman was set to replace Dane Vilas, who leaves with the Proteas on their three-Test tour of Australia tomorrow.
The Cobras will opt for Andrew Puttick, with the veteran tasked with keeping wicket and opening the batting. It will be an interesting situation if the Cobras bat second and he has to face the new ball after roughly 144 overs behind the stumps.
The selectors believe that there is a need for a few old warhorses to turn around the Cape franchise’s fortunes.
Rory Kleinveldt, who is back from a productive spell at county side Northamptonshire, will add some bite to a thus far toothless attack. The 33-year-old took 25 wickets at an average of 35.76 in 13 matches. The workout during the winter has also meant he is “bowling fit” and is ready for some lengthy spells.
While Kleinveldt will be mindful of his performance, he can provide guidance for the young bowlers. Since bowling coach Charl Langeveldt’s ascension to the Proteas, there hasn’t been a senior figure at the Cobras to mentor the bowlers.
Although Bolander Zakhele Qwabe is 28 years old, he is a novice at franchise level and will be making his Cobras first-class debut today at the expense of Tshepo Moreki. Qwabe has played an one-dayer for the side, though he travelled to the Champions League T20 in India two years ago.
The decision to drop Moreki would have been a difficult one, as he offers more in terms of pace and movement off the seam. But at this stage of his career, he is still unable to consistently hit his line and lengths. Likewise all-rounder Jason Smith. He has been sensational with the bat and also picked up four wickets in the first innings of the opening game against the Highveld Lions at the Wanderers. But he seems to drift in and out and the Cobras can ill-afford that from their fourth seamer, as his contribution with the ball is as important to their cause.
A little word of advice from Kleinveldt at mid-off could go a long way in settling down Smith and Qwabe.
Equally, the return of Justin Ontong for Vilas will hopefully provide some stability in the batting lineup. Ontong is likely to bat between the promising Zubayr Hamza and Smith, and his presence at the crease could be crucial.
Hamza has produced a couple of cameos already this season and looks comfortable at this level. But there have been times when he simply shot out of the blocks too quickly. All that is required is for a more senior batsman to identify the match situation, which is hopefully what Ontong, through his 18 years of first-class experience, will provide.
The Cobras have also flirted with the idea of Ontong opening the batting this season, which could possibly ease some of the pressure on Puttick. This tactic would allow the stand-in keeper with some respite by moving him lower down the order.