Broken fingers a sore point for Cobras coach

PAUL ADAMS is on the verge of telling his Cape Cobras players not to catch a ball any more, such is the regularity with which they have been suffering broken fingers.

Left-arm spinner George Linde is the latest to suffer a fracture and he will be forced to sit out this weekend’s crucial T20 doubleheader against the Titans (on Friday) and the Knights (Sunday).

The non-availability of Linde is a massive blow to the Cobras. The young spinner was just beginning to rediscover the form that made him such a hit during last season’s T20 Challenge. His return of 4/21 in a victory against the Knights in Kimberley was high-quality bowling.

With veteran left-arm spinner Robin Peterson also still unavailable due to a fractured hand, Adams might be forced to have another look at Siya Simetu, who travelled with the Cobras last week without being used. He could now come firmly into the reckoning for a start at Newlands on Friday.

“It’s a massive blow losing George. He is bowling beautifully. We’ve already lost Robbie P. I don’t know what’s going on... with everyone suffering hand injuries. Last week it was Parny (Wayne Parnell), and before that it was SA (Sybrand Engelbrecht), Robbie P and Pieter Malan. But we do have Siya in our squad, so we’ll look at our options as the week progresses,” Adams said.

Adams was far chirpier about his team’s recent upward movement on the T20 Challenge log. The double victory last week – especially the win over the previously unbeaten Dolphins – was particularly important in keeping the defending champions in touch with the logleaders. He still wants the batting unit to capitalise during the middle overs on the explosive starts provided by Richard Levi, though.

“Picking up eight points was very important as we ensured we did not lose too much ground,” Adams said. “We’re also improving every game, the fielding is getting better, and the bowling has been excellent. But we know we haven’t played close to our potential yet.”

With several Proteas in the Titans line-up, Adams is faced with a selection conundrum many opposition coaches sat with when they came up against the Cobras over the last couple of years.

Now, Adams and the Cobras brains trust need to think hard about the make-up of the bowling unit. Left-arm swing bowler Mthokozisi Shezi has improved significantly over the last two games, but a place needs to be found for Rory Kleinveldt.

Against the Knights, Kleinveldt changed the course of the match in 14 balls with the bat. However, with the return of overseas star Kieron Pollard last Sunday in Centurion, Kleinveldt sat out.