Border to give it one final blast

Plaatjes wants that Gauteng scalp

THE Border semi-professional cricket team is looking to end their season on a high as they take on Gauteng in their final two games of the 2016-17 season in Johannesburg over the next four days.

The Sunfoil 3-Day Cup match gets under way today, while the CSA One-Day Cup match will be battled out on Sunday with both teams set to go all out for glory.

“We have had some really good energy in training over the past week,” Border coach Frank Plaatjes said.

“Usually when it is the last game of the season and you aren’t in the running players just go through the motions, but the guys have been really excited for the match and want to end off on a positive note.”

Both Border and Gauteng are out of contention for top spot in their respective three-day cup pools, with Border fourth in pool A and Gauteng second in pool B and both will want to keep hold of their places in the final match.

Border head into the game off the back of a morale-boosting win over South Western Districts and they will be looking to take that momentum into the Gauteng match.

“I want our batters to put us in a good position, our bowlers have been good over the past few games so I feel it is up to the batsmen to perform and set us up well,” said Plaatjes.

“The conditions up there are different from what we are used to on the coast, but I feel the guys will be able to adapt quickly.”

Gauteng come into the game off a draw against Northern Cape and although they cannot catch the table-topping Free State team, they will be eager to end on a high and secure second spot.

The Border squad has not changed much from their last match against SWD so they take some good momentum into the Gauteng game.

“Our only changes have seen Bradley Williams drop out of the squad and Kabelo Sekhukhune come in, while Sithembile Langa and Manyano Ngadlela have also come in with Phumzile Majaja missing out and Jerry Nqolo unavailable due to Warriors commitments,” said Plaatjes.

On the one-day front, Border and Gauteng have both struggled in the competition this season so both will be looking to finish off with a good win.

Border has managed only one win in nine games, while Gauteng has won four of their nine, so Border should be more motivated to get another win in their last game.

Today’s action gets under way at 10am and Sunday’s match starts at 9.30am.

The Border squad is: Gionne Koopman (capt), Mkhululi Calana, Somila Seyibokwe, Marco Marais, Darryl Brown, Kabelo Sekhukhune, Clayton Bosch, Avumile Mnci, Phaphama Fojela, Thandolwethu Mnyaka, Sinovuyo Ntuntwana, Sithembile Langa, Manyano Ngadlela.