Skipper hails Warriors young guns after impressive victory

Warriors captain Jon-Jon Smuts praised the performance of the team’s younger players after an opening Momentum One-Day Cup victory over the Cape Cobras at the weekend.

The Warriors laid down an early marker in the 50-over campaign with an impressive three-wicket away victory over the Western Cape franchise in Paarl on Friday evening.

Gihahn Cloete continued his good form scoring a mature 111 to help the team chase down 276.

There were also encouraging half-centuries from 20-year-old Matthew Breetzke, 57, at the top of the order and 19-year-old Sinethemba Qeshile, who scored 54 during the latter stages of the innings.

Debutant Onke Nyaku took a tidy 1/22 in six overs while Lutho Sipamla claimed three wickets.

“To start the tournament like this is always great with a win. To win away from home is even better,” Smuts said.

“For us to have three debutants and to get over the line was great. It was tough conditions for our young bowlers. We bowled and batted really well and it was exciting to see.”

There were some nervy moments at the end for the Warriors but the fact that they had not lost too many wickets up front enabled them to get home.

“With one-day cricket if you got wickets in hand, you can accelerate nicely at the end. We obviously left it a little bit late at the end if we are honest with ourselves.

“But it was a great knock from Gihahn to get us over the line and a superb opening partnership with Matthew,” Smuts added.

The Warriors next play the Highveld Lions at the Wanderers on Wednesday.