Langeveldt may still be paying price for that big Zondo six
MISSING their lengths at the death has been the chief reason for the Cape Cobras’ defeats in their last two Twenty20 Challenge matches.
And, it was rather surprising to not see the name of experienced campaigner Charl Langeveldt in the Cape side’s squad for tonight’s important clash against the Impi in Benoni.
Langeveldt looked a bit rusty in his only T20 match so far this season – the 40-run win against the Impi. He conceded 39 runs from his allotted four overs, which included a full toss in the last over of the innings that went for six and allowed Khayelihle Zondo to edge closer to what would eventually be his maiden T20 century. It prevented the Cobras from getting a bonus point.
Langeveldt was then dropped for the next two matches, where it went horribly wrong for the Cobras at the death. In last Friday’s defeat against the Lions, the Cobras conceded 41 runs in 4.2 overs, and two days later, in their three-run defeat against the Dolphins in Paarl, they conceded 61 runs in the last five overs.
Earlier this season, the 37-year-old Langeveldt put in a few classy displays to help the Cobras to the 1-Day Cup title. His experience and his ability to get reverse swing in the late overs was a telling factor in the title challenge.
Johann Louw and Rory Kleinveldt will probably be given the responsibility to try and restrict the Impi at the death, while new overseas recruit, left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg, might also be brought in to take some of the pace off the ball in Benoni.
However, there are no such issues when it comes to the Cape side’s batting unit, although they might want to see some more consistency from their explosive middleorder.
Opener Stiaan van Zyl has been in sublime form so far this season, while there might be a case for stand-in skipper Andrew Puttick to bat at No 3 after playing a handy knock against the Dolphins, with wicket-keeper Dane Vilas moving down the order to provide some explosive hitting at the end.
CAPE COBRAS SQUAD Alistair Gray, Andrew Puttick, Beuran Hendricks, Brad Hogg, Dane Piedt, Dane Vilas, Johann Louw, Yaseen Vallie, Mujahid Behardien, Owais Shah, Richard Levi, Rory Kleinveldt, Stiaan van Zyl.