Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Quick Shezi ready to help Cobras shoot back into form
LEFT-ARM fast bowler Mthokozisi Shezi will be looking to make an impression on the One-Day Cup today as the table-topping Cape Cobras take on the Lions at the Wanderers.
After today’s match Shezi will head to Bloemfontein to join up with the South Africa A as the national side take on the England Lions in a five match one- day series.
In August Shezi made his senior debut for the Proteas against Zimbabwe and while the 27-year-old would want to add more international caps to his career statistics the former Dolphins fast bowler is fully focused on achieving success for the Cobras.
“When I came to the Cobras I joined a winning team so I need to keep up my skills and increase my performance levels to make sure that the team keeps on winning. Playing for South Africa A is a honour but it’s not at the front of my mind right now. I am fully focused on the Cobras and ensuring that we get a home final this year,” said Shezi.
This season Shezi has played in all three formats for the Cobras, taking 20 wickets, and he will be looking forward to returning to the one-day competition following a poor start to the four-day series.
“We did not have a good time in the four-day series but I think the one-day series really suits us better and even at practice you can see that the guys are in a better mood.
“Even at practice you can see that the guys are looking forward to playing one-days again and I think we can use it get our confidence back after the four- days where we haven’t won a match in four attempts.”
Victory for the Cobras will see them extend their lead at the top of the logs to nine points and one step closer to securing a second successive home final.
Over the last two seasons the Cobras have made it to the final of the One-Day Cup only for rain to force them to share the title with the Lions and the Titans.
“After winning the T20 title we need to make sure that we don’t put our foot off the pedal in the other competitions. We want to be contenders in all of the tournaments so we are really pushing for a home final.”
With Shezi joining up with the SA A side Cobras coach Paul Adams will need to seek other options in his team but the former Proteas spinner has a number of options available with players such as Aviwe Mgijima, Lizaad Williams and Shaheen Khan available.
“If we are really looking to be dominant in all competitions we need to make sure that we stick to our skills and make sure that we keep improving as a team. We have great depth in our bowling department regardless if it is fast bowling or spin. One of the things we really need to make sure we do consistently is take wickets in all phases of the game, from the start and especially at the death,” Adams said.