Warriors enjoy success despite missing key men
Coach Robbie Peterson has praised the Warriors’ recent success in the Momentum One-Day Cup despite having seven influential players out of the mix.
The Eastern Cape franchise have been without regular skipper Jon-Jon Smuts, Lutho Sipamla and Anrich Nortjé due to national duty.
And the way the duo have performed it seems the Warriors need to get used to life without them for a while.
Add to that the fact that Rudi Second, Sine Qeshile, Gihahn Cloete and Glenton Stuurman have all been on the physio’s table and it would be reasonable to think the Warriors would be struggling to hold their own.
But the players Peterson has brought in to fill the voids have all stepped up and contributed at different stages.
One of those is Lesiba Noepe. The brutal left-hander has at times struggled to make an impact at franchise level but recent form for Eastern Province earned him a spot in the Warriors’ top order.
He had grabbed the opportunity and has featured in the last five games of the nine the Warriors have played in the campaign.
He started off slowly with nine against the Lions then kicked in with efforts of 53 (Dolphins), 94 (Lions), 79 (Titans) and 32 (Dolphins).
That’s 267 runs at an average of 53.4. And he has scored them quickly as well.
“This is the group we have and it’s great because you can actually build you depth a little bit,” Peterson said.
“Some of the guys surprise you with what they can do if given an opportunity.
“Ngoepe has been magnificent for us with the bat without getting a hundred.
“But he’s getting close and he just needs to continue like that.
“Qeshile has done nicely, Matthew Breetzke has been fantastic at the top of the order. Eddie Moore has got two hundreds.
“So the guys who have not played a lot of white ball cricket for the Warriors are actually contributing to wins and that’s great to see.
“That’s what you want in your system.
“When the big guys aren’t there that the other guys fill those spots and that’s encouraging.”
The good news is that batsman-wicketkeeper batsman Qeshile is likely play in the team’s final group game against the Cobras in East London on Saturday.
“Yes definitely, he’s looking much better.
“He just probably needs this week which will do him wonders and the signs are positive he will come into contention for selection this weekend.
“He’s a big player for us in white ball cricket, so hopefully he will be fit and ready to go,” Peterson said.
A win on Saturday will guarantee the Warriors a spot in the semifinals.