Parnell to return... but will he open the batting?

WAYNE PARNELL will make his muchanticipated return to the Cape Cobras team for an important double-header weekend. The Cobras face the Titans in Benoni on Friday before returning home to host the Highveld Lions in Paarl on Sunday.

Parnell’s return from a groin injury is not only good news for the Cobras, but also for national coach Russell Domingo. The dearth of quality all-rounders is major headache for Domingo and the situation has worsened with the withdrawal of Albie Morkel from the ODI series against England starting today.

Domingo has been forced to call up Titans all-rounder David Wiese as Parnell was unavailable for the South Africa A warm-up fixture against England last Saturday in Kimberley. But with Wiese only selected for the opening two ODIs, Domingo and chief selector Linda Zondi will be keeping a close eye on Parnell’s performances this coming weekend.

“There’s always going to be an interest in Wayne from higher up. He is a nationally contracted player still, so his performances are always being monitored,” said Cobras coach Paul Adams. “From our side we’re not putting too much pressure on him. It is a big weekend for us, but we just want him to get back into his work and settle into his role because he hasn’t played in a while. He batted and bowled at training this week, so he looks ready to go.”

Parnell’s availability does give Adams a selection headache. Young all-rounder Jason Smith put in a promising performance on debut last Friday and could miss out for Parnell. The all-rounder has been effectively used as an opening bat before, though, and has two List A centuries and a 99 in a T20 match (against the Lions) to his name.