Calana admits to bout of heebie-jeebies as Border skipper
BORDER opening batsman Mkhululi Calana will step into the breach for the first time and lead the Border team when they take on Western Province in their Sunfoil Three-Day Cup clash getting under way at Buffalo Park tomorrow morning.
Calana takes over from regular captain Gionne Koopman who is currently playing for the Warriors against the Knights in Kimberley.
It will be a new challenge for Calana who firmly established himself as a regular in the team after an impressive break out season last season and he will be looking to lead from the front in the match.
“I am excited for the opportunity but a bit nervous at the same time, I feel like I’ve got some big shoes to fill taking over from Koopman and I have a lot of responsibility on my hands, but I am looking forward to the challenge,” said Calana.
“I think what every captain wants to do is set an example by performing well, so I am aiming to put in a good performance in the match.”
A further two changes have been made to the team from the one that drew with Northerns in their first three-day encounter of the season two weeks ago.
Powerful middle-order batsman Somila Seyibokwe is competing for the South African team in the Hong Kong sixes tournament and leading fast bowler Phaphama Fojela will miss the game due to a family bereavement.
Bradley Williams, Kabelo Sekhukhune and Sinovuyo Ntuntwana have been brought into the squad as replacements and will be looking to impress should they get on the field.
“All of these guys have played for the team before, they have done well and been waiting for their chance and I believe they will step up and take their opportunity against Western Province,” said Calana.
“We have good depth in the squad, so it is good for some of the fringe guys to get a chance to stake a claim for a place in the team.”
Following the three-day match Border will then take on Western Province in their provincial one-day encounter.
In both matches against Northerns some impressive performances were put in by Marco Marais, Christiaan Jonker, Gerhardt Abrahams and Clayton Bosch and they will hope to build on it against Western Province.
Hudson Park first team cricketer Jason Niemand has also been brought into the squad for the one-day match.
“The team is very confident coming up against Western Province,” said Calana.
“We played really well against Northerns and we want to take that form into the coming games and hopefully come away with two wins.”
The three-day match gets going at 10am tomorrow morning, while Sunday’s one-day starts at 10.30am.
Border squad is: Mkhululi Calana, Bradley Williams, Gerhardt Abrahams, Kabelo Sekhukhune, Christiaan Jonker, Marco Marais, Avumile Mnci, Mncedisi Malika, Sithembele Langa, Sinovuyo Ntuntwana, Sesona Ndwandwa, Clayton Bosch, Bamanye Xenxe, Jason Niemand.