Cobras have renewed belief that they can turn things around

IT wouldn’t have been a surprise if the Cape Cobras wanted the competition to end after their first half of the T20 Challenge.

They had won just one out of six games, with three defeats, and two others were washed out.

But chasing down a Kingsmead domestic T20 record of 179 to win over the Dolphins on Sunday has given coach Paul Adams and his team renewed belief that they can turn things around.

The Cobras take on the Knights at Newlands on Wednesday (6pm start) and are still in fifth place on 12 points after seven matches, but have a game in hand over the Dolphins in fourth, who are three ahead. The Lions occupy third, the last playoff spot, with 16 points after seven encounters, so the final few rounds promise an exciting end to the league phase.

“The belief is always there. If it is not, then we might as well pack our bags and finish the tournament. I think the week off was good for us as it gave us the opportunity to refresh and watching all the games, seeing that we are languishing in fifth spot. It is a matter of playing cricket, bat against ball. Do the basics right and be prepared, fight hard. We put ourselves in this position, and only we can get ourselves out of it,” Pollard said.

“I told the guys at the start that all we need to focus on is game by game, and that starts here. We need to win this game, so we need all hands on deck. We need a massive effort. I told the guys in the dressing-room that if we want to be a competitive force in this tournament, this is the game to do it. It’s a big chase, it would be a record chase for us, and we need to do it.”

Levi chose his boundary shots well against the Dolphins, and didn’t let close runout calls affect his approach. “I just had a small chat with Richard as well, and in the last game as well. He has been a bit rushed in the first couple of games, and we know that once Richard stays and he bats, it is good for us and a psychological advantage once he is in on the wicket,” Pollard said.

“If he gets out, then the opposing team has that advantage. He is reaping the rewards as he batted really well in the last game that was affected by the rain. Today he was spectacular, and Dane coming in with his experience, it was just a matter of finishing it off.”