Warriors to make up lost ground

As the Cape Cobras set a cracking pace at the top of the table, the Warriors know they need to start winning if they are to challenge the Western Cape franchise for overall 4-Day Franchise Series honours.

But with the Cobras all of 41 points ahead of them on the standings it seems a bit of a stretch and Ashwell Prince’s side will have to have a wretched run-in to the end of the campaign if the other teams are to catch them.

The Cobras have won all four of their matches so far to lead with 98,86 points ahead of the Lions, with two wins, in second spot on 66,98. The Warriors only have the one win to their credit and find themselves third with 57,40 followed by the Knights, who have 47,80.

The Titans and the Dolphins have yet to win a match.

After drawing their match at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth last week, the Warriors and the Knights meet again, starting in Kimberley on Monday.

This is the final round before the tournament breaks for the playing of the Mzansi Super League (MSL) T20 and both teams will be desperate for a win.

Warriors coach Rivash Gobind admits a good finish to the first half would be ideal.

“The Cobras are playing some fantastic cricket,” Gobind said. “Ashwell (Prince) has obviously done a great job there with them. We’re all chasing them at the moment.

“I think we’re a bit fortunate because we have to play them twice in the second round, so our destiny in terms of where we finish in relation to them is probably based on those two encounters.

“The Knights are very good in their own conditions and this will be a tough hurdle for us.”

Colin Ackermann, Eddie Moore and Sinethemba Qeshile shone with the bat for the Warriors last week, but none of them got three figures, although Qeshile missed the mark by only one run. Even still, the Warriors made a decent first innings total of 457.

Anrich Nortje took a six-fer in the Knights’ first innings but the team’s bowling in the second innings was not accurate enough and that is something they will need to improve on.

Knights coach Nicky Boje said he was pleased with the final day century by Pite van Biljon and the more than 200 runs scored by rookie Andries Gous in the game.

“We were under the pump for most of the game and to come out in the second innings and play the way the guys did was really good to see,” Boje said.

“It’s going to be important to make sure you finish this first round well and try and go for a win,” Boje added.

The other games starting Monday will see the Cobras hosting the Lions in Paarl while the Titans travel to Durban to face the Dolphins.

Standings after four rounds: 1 Cobras 98,86; 2 Lions 66,98; 3 Warriors 57,40; 4 Knights 47,80; 5 Titans 43,62; 6 Dolphins 34,94 –