Border contracts for shining stars

THE new cricket season is fast approaching and with the Africa Cup T20 competition getting under way in less than a month, Border have announced their contracted players for the coming season.

Seven players have been given full senior contracts, while a further three have been retained on junior contracts.

All-rounder Gionne Koopman will captain the side, with fellow opening batsman Mkhului Calana as his vice, with them joined by Marco Marais, Sithembile Langa, Somila Seyibokwe and former Northern Cape batsman Gerhardt Abrahams on senior contracts.

Clayton Bosch, Sinovuyo Ntuntwana and Mncedisi Malika have also been signed on junior contracts.

“I am very happy with the group of players that we have signed for the season,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.

“The fact that we have the services of Gerhardt Abrahams is a big scoop for us and he brings a new dimension to our batting lineup.

“It is also good to see guys like Sithembele Langa rewarded. He has improved dramatically and deserves his contract.”

Border regulars Jerry Nqolo and Aya Gqamane will also be part of the team, but they have been given Warriors contracts, while Border will also have Christiaan Jonker and Yaseen Vallie available when not with the Warriors.

“It is always nice to have our guys contracted to the Warriors,” said Plaatjes.

“Jerry and Aya are contracted to the Warriors again and we will also have the services of Jonker and Vallie again, which is always great to have when they are available.”

The team has, however, seen a few stalwarts depart, with Martin Walters and Darryl Brown retiring from the game, while Thandolwethu Mnyaka has moved to Northern Cape.

So the team will face a bit of a rebuilding phase and a number of players will need to step up into those senior roles that have been vacated and help the youngsters settle in.

The team will be eager to do better than last year, where they struggled for consistency throughout the season and finished well below the standards they will have expected of themselves.

“We had a disappointing season last season, but we hope to turn this around as we have set new goals and looked in the areas of improvement,” said Plaatjes.

“The team has been practising during the winter while a few players were still playing overseas and expected to return later this month.”

Border’s Africa Cup T20 squad is expected to be named at the end of this week.