Cobras out to play spirited cricket

SA Domestic

The Cape Cobras are confident against any team as their specialist batsmen have taken responsibility and have played spirited cricket.

That is what has propelled them to the second position on the Sunfoil Series log, says Aviwe Mgijima, middle-order batsman of the Cape side.

The Cobras have 115.78 points, just marginally behind the table-topping Warriors, who boast 116.42 points.

The Titans, with 110.60 points, will clash with the hosts at Boland Park from Thursday, but Mgijima is undaunted and unfazed about the quality of the opposition.

Even if Chris Morris and other international bowlers are included, the hosts are confident that they will be able to deal with the threat, Mgijima said.

One of the secrets of the tally of 10 centuries in eight games and the fact that six batsmen average more than 50, has been the Spirited Cricket Fund which has accumulated over R200,000 throughout the season through batting partnerships.

“You cannot produce great scores all on your own. You need partnerships. We have played spirited cricket and we are batting for one another,” he added.

Mgijima was upbeat about his own century in the previous game against the Dolphins and credited Stiaan van Zyl and Kyle Verreynne for helping him to three figures.

“We have a squad of young batsmen, but they have not taken a step back this season.”

Probed about the bowling, Mgijima said the fact that they had five bowlers who operated very economically, put additional pressure on the Dolphins which led to their demise.

“If we can continue to apply collective pressure with five disciplined bowlers, there is no reason why we cannot get another crop of 20 wickets at Paarl this weekend,” Mgijima added.

He said reverse swing will be on offer at Boland Park, although he cannot be certain about it.

Dane Paterson is one of the bowlers who can benefit from the art of reverse swing.

“We are solid and whatever they bring to the party, we will be able to handle it,” said Stiaan van Zyl, senior batsman of the Cobras.

“In the past few games, I have seen how the batsmen have advanced,” Van Zyl added.

Latest