Piedt: A blessing in disguise that we don’t have Philander, Parnell
DANE PIEDT is not your ordinary cricket captain. He has already been described as a “maverick” in certain media circles, and rest assured there will be no cliches used at his press gatherings.
He was in a similar fiery mood this week at Newlands. Perhaps it had to do with the late Heritage Day braai activities happening at training but he was in a positive frame of mind ahead of his team’s trip to Port Elizabeth for their Sunfoil Series clash with the Warriors today (10am start).
It is this vibrant energy that seems to attract the young players to the Cobras skipper, with all the rookies always seemingly in close proximity of Piedt.
It may also have something to do with the fact that Piedt is ready to go to war with his young charges, especially his inexperienced bowling unit. Even after they conceded 623/4 against the Knights last week in Bloemfontein, Piedt is still backing the likes of Tshepo Moreki (23) and Lizaad Williams (23) to succeed.
“We have an inexperienced bowling attack and everyone knows that around the country. But I guess we all have (to) start somewhere I guess. I think it is down to us to do it. It is possibly a blessing in disguise that we don’t have Vernon (Philander) and Parney (Wayne Parnell) available because now we can be really honest with ourselves to see where the bowling attack is,” Piedt said.
“At the end of the day we are going to have to find a way to do it. No matter what surface we are faced with. Me, as the skipper, I am always going to tell the guys I don’t care what surface we (are) playing on, we have to find a way to win the game. We have to take 20 wickets to win the game and it is always going to be down to us.”
The Cobras will soon be able to call on senior campaigner Rory Kleinveldt, who has been outstanding for Northamptonshire, but Piedt remains eager to support his young charges.
“We don’t want to bring in the more experienced guy who is playing in England at the moment to try and fix the situation. We, as the bowlers, are going to have to create the momentum. I think we are heading in the right direction,” he explained.
Another rookie who has caught the attention of his skipper is former South Africa Under-19 wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne. The 20-year-old acquitted himself well behind the stumps in Bloemfontein, and even added an invaluable 42 not out in the second innings. “He is a great little player. He is very boisterous in the way he walks around. He is a relaxed type of character,” Piedt said.