In the zone
Jendamark United look to exorcise past demons
Jendamark United Cricket Club are looking to exorcise past demons when they head to the Highveld to compete in the Multiply Community Cup T20 this weekend.
These were the thoughts of United head coach Zarier Sirkhotte as the team travelled to Pretoria on Thursday.
Having last played in the competition in 2017, the Zwide-based club will be itching to rectify past failings as they go in pursuit of a winner’s medal in the six-franchise competition.
Speaking before the team’s departure, Sirkhotte said the team had received a huge boost with the return of some of their more experienced players to add impetus to the side.
“We wrapped up our preparations last night, and the boys are quite excited and ready for the challenge,” Sirkhotte said.
“We have set ourselves the goal of not just doing well, but we are aiming to go for the win this time around.
“Our preparations centred on doing the basics well.
“We are also very fortunate to have five of our semi-professional and franchise players back, which is a major boost for the squad,” he said.
“With each franchise playing each other once, the side ending on top of the standings is declared the winner of the competition. Just like we have a few professional players in the team, so too will the other franchise representatives.
“So we are expecting a very high level of cricket to be played in the tournament,” Sirkhotte said.
“Our main thing is to go out there with a positive mindset. In the Mayoral Cup, games were quite low scoring due to the slowness of the pitches.
“But we have set ourselves the target of setting much higher scores, more in the region of 160 or 170, because those could be par scores up there.
“We also need to make sure we maximise the power plays and bat positively throughout the 20 overs.
“From a bowling point of view, we need to make sure we are hitting our lines and areas from the first ball, because at that level there is not much margin for error,” he said.
Sirkhotte also made special mention of Pearson and Daniel Pienaar Technical high schools for making their fields available for the team to ensure their preparations went off without a hitch.
Asked what lessons they took from their last appearance at the competition in 2017, Sirkhotte said: “The first time in the competition was a humbling experience for the guys.
“They did not know what to expect. But I think we have learnt a lot from that.
“Conditions in the Highveld are very different to those down here on the coast.
“I think we are a lot more familiar with it now.
“So our preparations were also a bit more focused on what we can expect in terms of the conditions,” he said.
The Warriors representatives get their competition under way with a match against Robertson Cricket Club (Cobras) on Friday morning before taking on Bobbies CC (Knights) later that day.
Saturday sees them play two more matches against BCX CBCOB CC (the Titans) and Jeppe CC (the Lions).
They end off their competition with a clash against Clares CC (the Dolphins) on Sunday.
United squad:
Jade de Klerk, Sivuyile Duda, Remano Esau, Siviwe Gidana, Edorique Houws, Riaan Jeggels, Allister Majola, Vuyisa Makhapela (capt), Lizo Makhosi, Mongezi Nabe, Lesiba Ngoepe, Keenan Smith, Glenton Stuurman, Lukhanyo Tybosch, Phumzile Yiba, Zarier Sirkhotte (coach), Mkhululi Tshona (assistant coach), Vuyo Qumana (manager).