Plenty of reasons for optimism at the Cobras
AFTER A few lean years both on and off the field down at Newlands, the Cape Cobras are looking forward to the 2018/19 season with fresh optimism on both fronts.
Major title sponsors World Sports Betting remain committed to the Western Cape franchise but are now also joined by associate sponsors S Balan Group – a construction and real estate company based in Pune, India – antiperspirant deodorant Mitchum, and car dealership VW Barons in the Cobras family.
Considering the current flux Cricket South Africa finds itself in relating to its sponsors with leading backers Sunfoil severing ties with CSA recently and potentially a few more to follow, it is a considerable coup for Cobras chief executive Nabeal Dien and his team to ensure the sustainability of the franchise in the current financial climate.
“A lot of credit must go to Nabeal and (Cobras commercial manager) David Brooke in bringing an international company like the Balan group, Barons Cape Town and Mitchum on board,” said Cobras coach Ashwell Prince.
“It really is a positive for the franchise to secure these kind of sponsors.
“But now it’s up to us as a team, players and coach, to do the business out in the middle.
“We have prepared nicely and the guys are itching to get out there because it’s been a long winter in the indoor nets.”
The Cobras certainly have plenty to look forward to this season.
The team, under the new leadership core of Prince, co-captains Dane Piedt (first-class cricket) and JP Duminy (limited-overs cricket), brought a sense of pride back to playing for the Cobras with the blooding of a group of talented youngsters last season.
Although no trophies were collected, there was a vast improvement in terms of performance with wicket-keeper/ batsman Kyle Verreynne, seam bowler Mthiwekhaya Nabe, batsmen Zubayr Hamza and Pieter Malan all rewarded with individual accolades and even call-ups to the South Africa A side for tours to India during the winter.
All of these young players have matured from rookies into serious first-class campaigners now, and coupled with the return from injury of the experienced Wayne Parnell, who is enjoying a superb return to form in the English County Championship for Worcestershire at present, Prince is eager for the season to get underway on October 1 against the Knights at Newlands.
“It is harder to win with young players because they don’t have the experience of those crunch moments, but now that they have had a taste of it they will be better prepared for it this time around,” Prince explained.
“If you are talking about goals for the season, then we made two semifinals last season, so the next step would be a final, and of course once you get there, you obviously want to win it.
“I think the season is shaping up nicely. Parnell is definitely a boost for us, and if he can stay fit for the majority of the season, having a high-quality left-armer in your ranks is always a boost,” Prince said.