SWD on a mission
SWD will be hoping to conclude the year on a high when they take on Border at Buffalo Park in East London - the third consecutive week they'll be in action.
In a much-improved season thus far, SWD had the upper hand in terms of bonus points in all five their three day matches, including a victory against Western Province and two credible draws against Northerns and Northern Cape. The biggest concern for coach Baakier Abrahams will be whether his bowlers can finish off the opposition's batsmen quickly.
In the limited over competition, the team is unbeaten after five outings and are topping the table, so Obus Pienaar and his men will be very cautious to not get complacent.
The team is, however, very well balanced and seemed to deal very well with pressure situations.
With the half-way stage of the three and one day competitions reached, the individual performances of the SWD players will be the most encouraging for Abrahams. Obus Pienaar, like the previous season, is a stalwart for the team. He is the top runs scorer in the three day series - 532 runs at an average of 88,66, which includes two hundreds and three half centuries and a highest score of 150*. In the one-day series he scored the second most runs - 328 - at an average of 109,33 with one century and three half-centuries.
Marcello Piedt, who only played in three of the five matches, is the leading wicket taker in the three day competition with 22 wickets and an average of 13,45. Stefan
Tait is the top wicket-taker in the one day competition (12 wickets at an average of 18,58) and Yamkela Oliphant the top fielder (7 catches in the three day competition). He also averages 46 with the bat.
Neil Hornbuckle is the most economical bowler in both the three day and one day format. His economy rate in three day cricket is 2,46 per over and in one day cricket 3,45 runs per over.
The three day SWD team for the weekend:
Letlotle Sesele (captain), Kirwin Christoffels, Jean du Plessis, Obus Pienaar, Brendon Louw, Yamkela Oliphant,
Neil Hornbuckle, Marcello Piedt, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Hershell America and Bradley de Villiers.
Stefan Tait (in place of Bradley de Villiers) and Marco de Kock (in place of Kirwin Christoffels) will be added to the one day team. Obus Pienaar is the one day captain.