Toyana still backs youngsters, but demands better judgement
WHILE ACCEPTING the strengths of the powerful Titans team that beat them in their opening T20 Challenge encounter in Centurion last Sunday, Highveld Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana also acknowledged that his side made a number of tactical errors and exhibited poor judgement which must be rectified as they push for a playoff spot.
The Lions face another Protea-laden team in the Cape Cobras at the Wanderers tonight, where they hope to apply the lessons learned in last Sunday’s thrashing by the Titans.
Once again the Lions batting let them down, with only Reeza Hendricks playing according to his game plan, said Toyana. The Lions were in early trouble at 18/3 at SuperSport Park, with Toyana bemoaning what he described as “soft” dismissals.
“When I say ‘fix the batting’ it’s about them understanding their roles and where the game is, not to be soft. I thought (Mangaliso Mosehle’s) dismissal was soft and the defence that ‘it’s the way he plays’, is not something I am going to accept. It’s key to understand where the game is at, and play accordingly,” said Toyana.
The Cobras have a strong bowling attack led by Vernon Philander and featuring internationals Dane Paterson, Rory Kleinveldt and for tonight, possibly Wayne Parnell, who is returning from a groin injury. If there are still any lingering doubts in that Lions batting line-up, the Cobras’ attack will ruthlessly exploit them.
For now Toyana is resolutely sticking by his young players. Yesterday he continued to talk up Marques Ackerman who played in the defeat against the Titans, Ryan Rickleton and Janneman Malan, but with an experienced – and in-form – player in Omphile Ramela in the wings, even Toyana’s renowned patience will be tested.
“I put Ackerman under pressure with us 0/2 (last Sunday) and in hindsight an experienced guy should have gone in, but I believe giving young players responsibility is the only way they can grow,” Toyana said.
“Over the last four years, we’ve given the youngsters opportunities. We did it with Quinny (de Kock), Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder. If a guy is talented. you must give him an opportunity.”