Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Let’s go back to the future at Newlands
IN days gone by, the rivalry between cricket teams from the Western Cape and the Highveld has always been strong.
During the 1980s, whenever Clive Rice’s “Mean Machine” visited Newlands for a Currie Cup or Nissan Shield match, the “Sold Out” signs would be up in Campground Road well in advance. Likewise, Howa Bowl clashes under the South African Cricket Board’s auspices between “Jack” Manack’s Transvaal team and Saait Magiet’s Western Province side would pull a strong crowd to either the Green Point Track or Florida Park in Ravensmead.
The advent of international cricket has diluted the intensity of these clashes, but there’s no doubt a final – like tomorrow’s One Day Cup decider at Newlands – will get the pulses racing again.
During the franchise era, with WP and Transvaal adopting the Cape Cobras and Highveld Lions names respectively, it is the men from down south who have dominated the contests. The Cobras have won 19 of their 25 meetings in limitedovers cricket and enter tomorrow’s showpiece with a greater psychological advantage, having rolled the Lions for just 133 at the beginning of this month.
Lions coach Geoff Toyana, though, feels statistics and history bear no relevance in a knockout match.
“It’s a big game, it’s a final, and it’s the home of the Cape Cobras. We lost to them away a few weeks ago, even though that was in Paarl, but we also beat them at home this season. So we’re expecting a mouthwatering affair,” Toyana said.
“To be fair, ever since I’ve taken over as coach (in 2012), it’s been much closer ... probably a split four and four over eight games. Games between the two are always competitive.”
But for all his positivity, Toyana will know the ugly truth is that the Lions will need to play beyond their capabilities to upset the the Cobras, in addition to Paul Adams’ men being severely off their collective game tomorrow.
It would also have been a more even contest if the Lions had their Proteas stars, Temba Bavuma and Eddie Leie, available. Both players are integral members of the Lions set-up, but they are unlikely to shake off respective back and hamstring injuries in time to play.
The only injury concern Adams has is a groin strain for paceman Dane Paterson. The Cobras opening bowler has not over exerted himself at training this week, and had a light bowl at the nets yesterday.
Paterson also had an icepack applied to his right thigh during training, but it is understood to have been more a precautionary measure than anything else. He is expected to take his place in the Cobras starting lineup tomorrow.