Border plan blistering start on all fronts
BORDER cricket will be turning their focus to the provincial three-day and one-day seasons getting under way in October, after the season opening Africa Cup T20 competition saw Border have their first taste of play in the new campaign.
Having not made it through to the finals weekend, Border will now be putting all their focus on the longer formats of the game.
“We have spent a lot of time on the white ball stuff and now we need to shift the mind-set and get ready for the longer format of the game,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.
“After the disappointment of the weekend the guys can’t wait to get back on the playing field and they want to do well this season.”
The 2016-2017 season was not a good one for Border, as they struggled in the one-day competition and had a mixed bag on the three-day front, so they will be looking for a stronger showing this time round and chase the silverware.
“We need an improvement in both formats this season,” said Plaatjes.
“We did not play well in the oneday tournament last season and we were average in the three-day, so we are hoping this season we can qualify for one of the finals.”
Despite losing two stalwarts of the team last season, Plaatjes is excited by the current squad and is backing them to impress.
“We have a nice squad this season. Most of the players will be available and I believe this team can do very well,” said Plaatjes.
First up for Border will be three-day defending champs Northerns, who they will take on in Centurion from October 12.
It will be a massive test for the team first up and will be a good indication if the team can challenge in both formats this season.
“It is always a tough one to start on the Highveld. Having done all your preparations on the coast and then having to start up there is a difficult one,” said Plaatjes.
“They are also the defending champions so they will want to get off to a good start and will be coming hard at us.
“But it is a good one to gauge our preparations and to see where the team is and if we will challenge this season.”
The team will also have to get used to the new points structure being introduced by Cricket South Africa for both the Sunfoil Series and Sunfoil Provincial Cup competition.
This season points for an outright win have been increased from 15 to 16, points for a tie have been increased to eight, and points for a draw will be six each in addition to the normal bonus points.
Batting bonus points will see one point awarded in the first 100 overs of each first innings attaining 150 runs, and 0.02 of a point for each run thereafter, while bowling bonus points are one point at the fall of 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th wickets in the first 100 overs of an innings.
“I am happy with the new structure. It rewards positive cricket and it encourages teams to want to get out on the field and perform at their best,” said Plaatjes.
“It will also encourage teams to take a few more risks to go for the win as teams will be rewarded,” he said.
Border take on Northerns at SuperSport Park in Centurion from October 12-14 in the three-day cup, and then on October 15 in the one-day competition to get their campaigns under way.