Warriors and Cobras ready for epic clash
CRACKING action is on the cards as limited-overs cricket is back at Buffalo Park with the Warriors welcoming the Cape Cobras for their Momentum One Day Cup clash today.
The Cobras will receive a massive boost in the return of in-form Proteas test allrounder Vernon Philander, who is available after being left out of the Proteas mix for the one day series against the Black Caps in New Zealand.
Philander admitted that although he would like to represent South Africa in as many formats as possible, his first and primary goal was to aid the Cobras in their quest to win the game.
“I am not focusing on how many wickets I take, it is about the team and getting them to a positive result,” he said.
It is the two sides’ second games of the campaign and with both having lost their opening matches at the weekend, they will be eager for a win to get their challenges up and running.
The Warriors have played a number of matches at Buffalo Park so far over the 2016-17 season and although battling in the longer format at the ground, they found success in the T20 competition with an impressive record-breaking win against the Dolphins.
But they lost a five-overa-side slog fest against the Titans, although that game was a bit of a lottery.
The Warriors have traditionally done well at Buffalo Park and they will hope for another good game this afternoon.
“We looking forward to the game. We enjoy playing in East London and we usually do well here,” Warriors coach Malibongwe Maketa said.
“It is also a great challenge that they bringing all of their national players here – those are the guys we want to measure ourselves against and the guys are excited about the challenge.”
Cobras coach Ashwell Prince will, however, have an intimate knowledge of the ground, having played on it for many years while at the Warriors.
In the Warriors 44-run loss against the Lions on Sunday, their bowling attack was not on song and although their batsmen kept them in with a shot, the chase fell away in the end.
The Cobras in their loss to the Knights over the weekend were also found wanting in both departments as they crumbled to a 100 run loss.
The solid batting form of former Border all-rounder Aviwe Mgijima will however have pleased the Cobras management as he top scored for the team with another half century and he is fast becoming a very reliable lower order batsman for the team, although he is rather under-utilised in the bowling department.
The match starts at 2pm and tickets cost R40 for adults and R20 for kids and pensioners.