Ingram gives Warriors a timely boost against Lions

THE Chevrolet Warriors received a welcome fillip when Proteas batsman Colin Ingram was released to play for them against the table-topping bizhub Highveld Lions in a potential Ram Slam T20 Challenge humdinger at Buffalo Park in East London today.

Ingram together with Quinton de Kock and Aaron Phangiso were given the go-ahead to help bolster their respective franchises after yesterday’s fourth ODI against Pakistan in Durban.

And while the Lions will no doubt be boosted by the presence of destructive De Kock and spinner Phangiso, Warriors skipper Davy Jacobs felt Ingram’s return could be key to the home side’s chances.

“With Colin (Ingram) back in the team it just extends our batting lineup.

“We’re still in a good position and a victory for us tomorrow (Friday) night would put us in an even better position,” said Jacobs.

Geoffrey Toyana, who became the first black African to coach a franchise in South Africa, also relished having his Proteas back. “We are quite fortunate to have the boys back from the national team. They will strengthen the team with both bat and ball.”

With his team currently lying fourth on the six-team log, and still smarting after suffering a demoralising six-run home loss to the Knights, Warriors coach Piet Botha acknowledged that victory is vital for the Eastern Cape franchise to stay in the competition.

“We are concentrating on one thing at this stage and that is to win every game we have left starting with this one in East London,” said Botha.

Following their agonising seven-run loss to the Nashua Titans on Tuesday, Toyana was confident of seeing his team bounce back in East London and felt that the clash will be decided either in the first six or the last four overs – with either bat or ball.

“We want to throw the first punch and get going first because it’s going to be hard to stop the Warriors at home if they start well.”

Despite having already qualified for a playoff spot, Toyana said he was disappointed with the loss to the Titans. “We set ourselves goals earlier this season and one of them was to finish the season unbeaten but that hasn’t happened anymore.”

Continued the Lions mentor: “One of the most important aspects of cricket in general, especially T20, is momentum and we’ll be looking to win all our remaining games.”