The Cape Cobras have resisted the temptation to blood teenage wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne in this weekend’s Sunfoil Series encounter against the Titans at Newlands.
Verreynne, last year’s South Africa U/19 gloveman, was expected to do duty behind the stumps with regular keeper Dane Vilas flying off to Australia tomorrow to join the Proteas on their three-Test tour.
Instead the Cobras will opt for the experienced Andrew Puttick as a stop-gap measure with the veteran now having the arduous task of keeping wicket and opening the batting. It will certainly be an interesting situation if the Cobras bat second again like last week and Puttick is forced to remain in the field for 144 overs before strapping on the bigger pads with just a 10-minute period for a changeover and then be expected to bat for seven hours as he did against the Warriors.
The Cobras selection panel, headed by former Proteas swing-bowler Allan Dawson, are certainly of the belief that there is a need for some old warhorses to change the Western Cape franchise’s fortunes. They have called on two further veterans in both the pace bowling and batting departments this weekend.
Burly seam bowler Rory Kleinveldt, who is back from a productive spell at English County Championship side Northamptonshire, will be expected to add some bite to a thus far toothless Cobras attack with Beuran Hendricks dropping out. The 33-year-old captured 25 wickets at an average of 35.76 in 13 County Championship matches. The workout during the South African winter has also meant Kleinveldt is “bowling fit” and is ready for some lengthy spells in the Sunfoil Series.
While he will certainly be mindful of his own performance upon returning to the side, Kleinveldt will also have to provide guidance for a group of young bowlers in the Cobras attack. Since bowling coach Charl Langeveldt’s ascension to the Proteas national side about 18 months ago, there hasn’t really been a senior figure within the Cobras camp that could serve as a bowling sounding board.
Although Boland seamer Zakhele Qwabe is already 28-years old, he is a novice at franchise cricket level and will be making his Cobras first-class debut this week at the expense of Tshepo Moreki. Qwabe has only played one previous One-Day Cup game for the Cobras and travelled to the Champions League T20 in India two years ago.
The decision to drop Moreki would have been a difficult one for the Cobras selection panel as the 23-year-old offers much more in terms of pace and movement off the seam, but at this stage of his fledgling career is still unable to maintain the pressure through hitting his line and lengths consistently.
Likewise all-rounder Jason Smith. The youngster has been sensational with the bat since coming into the Cobras this season, and also picked up four wickets in the first innings of the opening game against the Highveld Lions at the Wanderers, but he too seems to drift in and out of spells. The Cobras can ill-afford that from their virtual fourth seamer as his contribution with the ball is equally important to the team’s cause.
A little word of advice from Kleinveldt at mid-off could go a long way in settling down the likes of Smith and Qwabe.
Equally, the return of former captain Justin Ontong for Vilas will hopefully provide some sort of stability within the Cobras batting unit. Ontong is likely to bat between the promising Zubayr Hamza and Smith and his presence at the crease could be crucial.
Hamza has produced a couple of cameos already this season and certainly looks comfortable at franchise level. However, there have been occasions that he simply shot out of the blocks too quickly when a measured approach would have been beneficial in the long term.
All that was required was for a more senior batsman to clarify the match situation in finer detail which is hopefully what Ontong through his 18 years of first-class experience will provide.
The Cobras have also flirted with the idea of Ontong opening the batting this season and could possibly take some of the pressure off Puttick through this measure. This tactic would allow Puttick some respite through moving lower down the order.
Cape Cobras squad:
Omphile Ramela (capt), Andrew Puttick, Zubayr Hamza, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Paterson, Jason Smith, Dane Piedt, Rory Kleinveldt, Aviwe Mgijima, Zakhele Qwabe, Justin Ontong.
Independent Media