Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Finally something to smile about for Adams and Cobras
THE CAPE COBRAS have finally won a cricket match!
It has been a long, hard road, but the Cobras and coach Paul Adams would’ve been able to crack a smile last night as they ended a seven-match winless streak after beating the Warriors by 12 runs to register their first victory of the season.
The first round of the Sunfoil Series was marred by offfield issues, which eventually led to a CCMA process. The Cobras lost three and drew two games, and went down in their first two T20 Challenge matches as well.
They were in a winning position against the Titans in Paarl on Wednesday, but a batting blitz from Albie Morkel saw the visitors snatch an unlikely victory.
But last night at a chilly Newlands, there were no such late meltdowns as the hosts put together their most efficient performance of the campaign.
There was some drama before the toss, though, as captain Justin Ontong was left out to make way for fit-again Wayne Parnell. It understood that Ontong stepped aside as he didn’t make significant contributions in the first two matches. He scored one and five against the Knights and Titans.
But it was a big call by Adams, as the only experienced batsmen left were Richard Levi and Kieron Pollard, who took over the captaincy.
Parnell was again utilised as an opener, and the gamble paid off as he struck 61 off just 51 balls (8x4).
But he didn’t get enough of the strike as he was only dismissed in the final over, and that left the Cobras about 10 to 15 runs short of what they would’ve hoped for as they had reached 123/3 in 15 overs.
Parnell had just gone to his third T20 half-century – having driven the ball straight well – and Pollard was in full flow on an unbeaten 41 after Levi (8), Keegan Petersen (12) and Jason Smith (8) couldn’t get going.
But the late-innings surge never quite materialised after outstanding yorker from Sisanda Magala shattered Pollard’s stumps for an entertaining 50 off 27 balls (2x4, 4x6), and the Cobras scored just 40 runs off their last five overs, losing five wickets.
Still, 163/8 was a good total and the Warriors would have a tough time in chasing 164 to win under lights.
They needed one of their top-four batsmen to go big, and ideally Colin Ingram, but they were unable to maintain their early momentum.
Openers Jon- Jon Smuts and Somila Seyibokwe made a strong start in compiling 31 within the first four overs, but Seyibokwe (20) was the first to go as he succumbed to a fiery delivery from Rory Kleinveldt.
George Linde was a surprise introduction during the powerplay, but the move worked for Pollard as the left-arm spinner dismissed Smuts with his first ball, clean-bowling him for 10.
Ingram and Colin Ackermann were the mainstays and needed to go deep if the Warriors stood any chance, but it wasn’t to be.
Pollard made the big play, as he so often does, when he grabbed a stunning one-handed catch to his right off Linde’s bowling to send Ingram packing for just four to leave the Warriors reeling at 48/3.
Kleinveldt and Linde looked to have clinched victory in the ninth over as Christiaan Jonker (0) and Lesiba Ngoepe (3) fell in quick succession to reduce the visitors to 58/5.
But Ackermann kept going and found a willing ally in Clyde Fortuin, and the duo added a lively 50 runs to bring the visitors back into the game.
It was still a long shot for victory, as they needed 56 to win off the last five overs.
And it was the unlikely figure of rookie spinner Nkululeko Serame who made the vital breakthrough as he bowled Fortuin for 22 to end the match as a contest.
Serame wasn’t done yet as he had Ackermann caught by Aviwe Mgijima at mid-wicket for an excellent 60 off 41 balls (3x4, 3x6).
Linde (3/23 off four overs) and Kleinveldt (2/16 in four) were the standout Cobras bowlers as the Warriors finished on 151/8.
Adams will be a relieved man after the Cobras broke their duck, and they will travel to Potchefstroom with renewed confidence ahead of tomorrow’s clash against the Lions (2.30pm start).