EP focused for clash with Free State
Eastern Province coach Piet Botha reiterated his side’s need to take each session as it comes when they take on Free State in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
Having come back from a short hiatus, Botha says they should not let complacency creep in as they push for a spot in the CSA 3-Day Provincial Challenge spot final taking place in a few weeks.
“We have really worked hard, so I am full of confidence that the guys have prepared well for this match,” he said.
“The important thing for us is to continue playing as we have been throughout the season, taking it session by session, because that is the only thing you can control.
“If you start looking at the bigger picture, you only invite distractions, so our focus is to make sure we try to control what we can and win the small battles, and the outcome will look after itself.”
With only one game left after the Free State clash, Botha said while the result would affect their log position, it was something they did not dwell on too much.
“The result will have an impact on the log, but it’s something that is way back in our minds, because you cannot play the game while thinking about future results, even though every result is vitally important.
“But we still have to bowl each ball and play the game, that’s what is important,” Botha said.
While the Free State side could be a banana skin for EP, the coach said his main focus was on the brand of cricket he wanted his team to play and not so much on what their opponents might be conjuring up.
“Sometimes one can go too deep into how you want to tackle the opposition.
“For us it’s about executing basic plans well.
“I think we have been very consistent in terms of our line and length with the ball, as well as building good partnerships in the first innings from a batting point of view, so I think if you can do that, it puts pressure on the opposition, which is vitally important.”
Apart from the absence of Kelly Smuts due to injury, Botha said Glenton Stuurman would not be part of the squad after he received a call-up to the Warriors for their match against the Dolphins at St George’s on Wednesday.
He said a few new faces would also be part of the travelling group, with Keenan Vieira, David Masterson and Tiaan van Vuuren receiving call -ups to the squad.
Eastern Province squad to face Free State:
Luvuyo Adam
Matthew Christensen
Clyde Fortuin
Siviwe Gidana
David Masterson
Solo Nqweni
Tian Koekemoer
Nelson Setimane
Kenan Smith
Keenan Vieira
Tiaan van Vuuren
Josh van Heerden
Henco Vorstman