All eyes on limited overs stars as Cobras face Dolphins
THE focus will be on returning Proteas limited overs players when the Cobras host the Dolphins in a Momentum One Day Cup clash at Boland Park in Paarl this afternoon.
The Cobras have been boosted by fast bowler Dane Peterson, while the Dolphins welcome back allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo and spinner, Imran Tahir.
The two were part of the South African squad that played against New Zealand in the recent 1-0 T20 and 3-2 ODI wins.
The competition is entering the crucial second round phase and the Dolphins would go top of the standings and also put themselves in a good position for a semifinal spot, if they beat their hosts in Cape Town.
Cobras captain Dane Piedt said Peterson returns to the team with boosted confidence and more experience.
“We are happy to have Peterson after he represented South Africa in New Zealand‚” he said.
“We will definitely be fielding three seam bowlers. We must take care of lapses that undermine our effectiveness with bat or ball‚” he said‚ giving insight of how they are likely to line up.
“What we need in the last five games is to do the basics well and execute our skills.
“We require even more clinical performances from all the players.
“We have a very experienced unit which knows what is needed to power the Cobras to a win against the Dolphins.”
However‚ the Cobras have lost experienced fast bowler Vernon Philander to the Proteas Test squad.
For Dolphins coach Grant Morgan‚ the availability of the ICC ODI top ranked bowler Tahir and rising star, Phehlukwayo, could not have come at a better time.
“It is great to have the likes of Andile (Phehlukwayo) and Imran (Tahir) back in our attack.
“They have been absolute worldbeaters for the Proteas and it will be good to have them back in the mix.
“With them, and Cameron Delport also back in the mix‚ it’s definitely one of the strongest squads we could assemble‚” said Morgan‚ who has lost spinner, Keshav Maharaj to the Test squad.
Elsewhere‚ Titans coach Mark Boucher welcomes back batsman, Farhaan Behardien and spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi for the remainder of the competition‚ which continues with a clash against the Knights at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Sunday.
On the other hand‚ the Titans have lost the services of wicketkeeper/ Heinrich Klaasen, who has joined the Test side as cover to Quinton de Kock and experienced fast bowler Morne Morkel.
The Lions have been hit hard by the departures of key batsmen Temba Bavuma and Stephen Cook‚ and fast bowler Duane Olivier.
They have linked up with the Test side while the Knights have also lost the services of batsman allrounder Theunis de Bruyn.
This Week’s Momentum Cup Fixtures:
8 March: Cobras v Dolphins (Boland Park‚ Paarl)
10 March: Dolphins v Warriors (Kingsmead‚ Durban); Lions v Cobras (Senwes Park‚ Potchefstroom‚ all matches 2pm) — TMG Digital