Lizaad Williams to Captain Cobras against Knights

World Sports Betting Cape Cobras fast bowler Lizaad Williams, has been named as stand-in captain for the 4 Day Domestic Series clash against the VKB Knights starting at Eurolux Boland Park on Thursday.

Pieter Malan, Dane Paterson, Zubayr Hamza and Vernon Philander were named in the Standard Bank Proteas Test squad for the first two Tests against England whilst Malan will join Dane Piedt, Nandre Burger and Kyle Verreynne in the SA ‘A’ team which will play England in a warm-up game in Benoni starting on Friday ahead of the First Test starting on December 26.

The call-ups have not only had an impact on player selection for this particular Cobras match, but also on the coaching staff, with Cobras assistant coach Faiek Davids taking charge of the Cobras this week in the absence of Ashwell Prince, who will be guiding the SA ‘A’ team against England.

“We’re looking forward to the dual against the Knights in Paarl. It’s obviously fantastic that a number of our players have been called up for higher honours, but it’s a great opportunity for guys who come in to stake a claim for spots whilst other players are away on national duty,” Davids stated.

WP trio Andre Malan, Qaasim Adams and Isaac Dikgale have also been included in the squad.

Williams is looking forward to leading the team out in the final match of 2019: “It’s a huge privilege and honour for me to be Captain of this amazing franchise. I hope that the things I’ve learned under the leadership of Dane Piedt and Pieter Malan will help me to succeed while they are away. It would be fantastic to end 2019 with a win to set us up nicely for the second half of the 4 Day campaign next year.”

World Sports Betting Cape Cobras squad: Lizaad Williams (Captain), Qaasim Adams, David Bedingham, Tladi Bokako, Isaac Dikgale, Simon Khomari, Matthew Kleinveldt, George Linde, Andre Malan, Janneman Malan, Akhona Mnyaka, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Jason Smith.

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Malan, Paterson earn Test call-ups

CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA (CSA) named six uncapped players in the Standard Bank Proteas squad for the first two Test matches against England to be played over the festive season.

The World Sports Betting Cape Cobras duo of fast bowler Dane Paterson and opening batsman Pieter Malan, the Imperial Lions trio of batsman Rassie van der Dussen, fast bowler Beuran Hendricks and all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius, and Warriors wicketkeeper/batsman Rudi Second have all been included in the Proteas squad which will assemble for a training camp later this week.

Second was selected for the previous Test series in India but had to withdraw through injury. Paterson, Van der Dussen, Hendricks and Pretorius have all represented the Proteas in white ball internationals.

The first Test match takes place at SuperSport Park, Centurion, from December 26 to 30 and the second at Newlands from January 3 to 7.

Lungi Ngidi of the Momentum Multiply Titans and Wiaan Mulder of the Imperial Lions could not be considered because of injury while Aiden Markram of the Momentum Multiply Titans is recovering well from injury.

“The high number of uncapped players coming into the squad is a reflection of our policy to acknowledge players who do well at franchise level and have put their hands up for selection,” commented CSA Independent Selector, Linda Zondi.

“Van der Dussen, who is third on the current four-day batting averages, and Pretorius, who has established himself as the leading all-rounder, are clear examples of this.

“Following the same trend Paterson has been the second leading wicket-taker in four-day cricket this season, including a 7-wicket haul in an innings, and we want to go into the Test series will a full arsenal of fast bowlers who have always provided one of our traditional strengths.

“Beuran Hendricks is also part of this strategy and adds variety to the attack as a left-arm swing bowler.

“Malan has been one of the most consistent runs scorers in franchise cricket for many seasons now and, as a specialist opening batsman, he provides cover for Markram, while Second provides cover in the wicketkeeping department and is a top order batsman in his own right.

“The selection of the A side to play England in a three-day tour match is confirmation of our policy to make this team our official South African 2nd XI and it has a good mix of experienced and young players with Pite van Biljon, Kyle Verreynne, Glenton Stuurman and Nandre Burger all being chosen at this level for the first time.

“Van Biljon and Verreynne are both in the top six on the four-day batting averages while we have gone for a young fast bowling attack as we look to develop our depth in this area,” concluded Mr. Zondi.

Standard Bank Proteas Test squad: Faf du Plessis (Momentum Multiply Titans, capt), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dean Elgar (Momentum Multiply Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Pieter Malan (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Zubayr Hamza (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Dane Paterson (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Vernon Philander (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Dwaine Pretorius (Imperial Lions), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Rudi Second (Warriors), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions)

Management

Head coach: Mark Boucher

Assistant coach: Enoch Nkwe

Team manager: Volvo Masubelele

Fielding coach: Justin Ontong

Strength and Conditioning coach: Tumi Masekela

Physiotherapist: Craig Govender

Performance analyst: Prasanna Agoram

Media Manager: Sipokazi Sokanyile

Security Manager: Zunaid Wadee

SA A squad (to play England at Willowmoore Park from December 20-22): Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Theunis de Bruyn (Momentum Multiply Titans), Reeza Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Pieter Malan (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dane Piedt (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Lutho Sipamla (Warriors), Glenton Stuurman (Warriors), Pite van Biljon (VKB Knights), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras)

Head Coach: Ashwell Prince

Assistant Coaches: Malibongwe Maketa and Piet Botha

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COBRAS & WARRIORS SHARE THE SPOILS

 

 

 

Half-centuries by Yaseen Vallie and Rudi Second ensured there was no late drama as the Warriors batted out to a draw on the final day of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras in Cape Town on Thursday.

 

Dane Piedt also managed to finish with four wickets, meaning he claimed seven in total on his return from Standard Bank Proteas duty, with the visitors finishing the match on 228 for five declared at Newlands.

 

The closing of the Warriors’ innings by captain Jon-Jon Smuts prompted the end of the game as time ran out on both teams.

 

For the hosts, they remain without a win this term, while the away side will go into the break – prompted by the Mzansi Super League – with one win, two draws and a defeat.

 

However, both will take plenty of encouragement from the round four fixture.

 

The Eastern Cape franchise had started the last day in slight trouble on 32 for two and with only a slight lead, but they went about their business well thanks in the main to Vallie and Second. The former, who scored 63 in the first innings, was there from the start and went on to record a score of 78 (144 balls, 8 fours).

 

He had initially added 65 with nightwatchman Jade de Klerk (14) for the third wicket, before the stand was ended by a run out.

 

Eighty-three then followed for the fourth wicket between Vallie and Second, who ended up unbeaten on 84 (149 ball, 15 fours) – his highest score since joining the Warriors during the winter.

 

After two wickets fell on 177, the second being that of Sinethemba Qeshile for a duck, Smuts and Second shared an unbroken 51-run stand that took them to the end of the game.

 

Piedt was the only bowler to take wickets, finishing with four for 69.

 

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Maiden Linde ton puts Cobras back in contention

A maiden franchise century by new Standard Bank Proteas spinner George Linde helped World Sports Betting Cape Cobras deliver a powerful response on the third day of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the Warriors in Cape Town on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old, who made his debut against India in Ranchi earlier this month, scored an impressive 122 (204 balls, 12 fours, 1 six) as the hosts replied to the visitors’ first-innings 350 with 379 at Newlands.

That gave them a 29-run lead, which by the close had been turned into a three-run lead. But that did come at a cost, though, thanks to a double strike by returning captain Dane Piedt (2/8) after he dismissed both openers to leave the Eastern Cape side on 32 for two.

Both sides now face hard work to try and generate a result on the final day of the round four fixture on Thursday.

However, whatever happens home coach Ashwell Prince is likely to be satisfied, especially after his side batted so well to recover from 73 for four to eventually bat for more than 140 overs.

They started the third day on 154 for four, with Jason Smith first to fall after failing to add to his overnight 41. Glenton Stuurman was the bowler and the dismissal of the all-rounder was one of five strikes amongst figures of five for 72 – his 12th career five-for and best at franchise level.

Matthew Kleinveldt at the other end, though, did manage to move from his day two score of 70 to 92 (215 balls, 16 fours), before he fell to Lutho Sipamla (2/57).

An outstanding 102-run seventh-wicket stand then followed between Linde and rookie Thando Ntini, who went on to post his personal best score of 40.

That propelled the Cobras to a slight lead, and they drove home the advantage when Piedt, back again from national duty in India, got rid of Eddie Moore (21) and Matthew Breetzke (5) in the final half-hour of play.

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KLEINVELDT AND SMITH HOLD UP WARRIORS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An unbeaten 81-run partnership between Matthew Kleinveldt and Jason Smith helped the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras fight back on day two of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the Warriors in Cape Town on Tuesday.

 

The pair helped their side recover from 73 for four to reach stumps on 154 for four, still trailing by 196 after the visitors had early posted 350 at Newlands.

 

Fresh from a career-best 175 in the previous game, Kleinveldt was the key man for the home side thanks to his unbeaten 70 (164 balls, 13 fours), while Smith was alongside him on 41.

 

They were fighting to get their side out of a hole, which was created by a double strike from Glenton Stuurman (2/31).

 

Earlier, it was the Warriors captain Jon-Jon Smuts who helped lift his side to a strong first-innings score.

 

The team from the Eastern Cape resumed batting on day two on 189 for three, with Yaseen Vallie (63 off 125 balls, 5 fours) key for them early on after he completed a well-played half-century.

 

And, after a quick triple strike by pick of the bowlers George Linde (3/67), the Warriors then looked like they were throwing away their initiative by falling to 226 for six.

 

But Andrew Birch (25) offered support for his skipper in a 46-run seventh-wicket stand, with Jade de Klerk (13) and Stuurman (15) helping push the score to the 350-mark when the visitors were finally dismissed.

 

Smuts was the last man standing, unbeaten on 75 off 102 balls (10 fours).

 

Apart from Linde, there were also three wickets each for Dane Piedt (3/84) and Dane Paterson (3/68).

 

Janneman Malan (0), Pieter Malan (17), Zubayr Hamza (0) and Kyle Verreynne (16) then all fell cheaply, before the rescue act by Kleinveldt and Smith, although the pair will know that there is still plenty of work ahead on day three.

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Proteas trio return for Warriors clash at Newlands

Three members of the Standard Bank Proteas Test squad from the recent series against India, return to the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras squad to take on the Warriors starting at Newlands on Monday.

The Cobras are relishing their first home appearance of the season and assistant coach Faiek Davids admits they are keen to make an immediate impression as they welcome back Captain Dane Piedt, George Linde and Zubayr Hamza.

The hosts have been on the road in their opening three matches, and, although they have not managed a win just yet, they have been extremely impressive.

“We’re very excited to be at home for the first time this season,” Davids enthused ahead of the Newlands encounter. “I see there’s some weather around though, but hopefully it will clear because we want to play.

“We know we’re just a win away from being in the top two or three. So, we’re not panicking and haven’t been at any stage.

“We’re well aware that we’re doing the right things, we were close in the first game, we put the (Momentum Multiply) Titans under pressure in the second one and then this last one as well, we’re playing good cricket.

“We’re not chasing anything because we know as long as we’re doing the right things we will be rewarded.”

The Cobras lost a low-scoring opening match to defending champions the Imperial Lions in Potchefstroom, but then came close to winning both their next two games against Titans and this past week at the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg.

They were just four wickets shy in each of those draws, but Davids did not let those results get him down.

“I thought we played very good cricket, we did well to restrict them to 325 and then to respond the way we did with the bat in hand was fantastic,” he added, reviewing the past week.

“There was a magnificent career-best there from Matthew Kleinveldt, a superb century from Janneman (Malan) as well and then a brilliant second wicket partnership, awesome stuff to watch.

“Then there was that fine innings by Kyle Verreynne as he has already done so many times this season.

“I think we ticked most of the boxes there. It’s just the pitch did not deteriorate enough for us to get over the line in the end. But it was a fantastic effort and extremely satisfying.”

World Sports Betting Cape Cobras Squad: Dane Piedt (c), David Bedingham, Tladi Bokako, Zubayr Hamza, Matthew Kleinveldt, George Linde, Janneman Malan, Pieter Malan, Akhona Mnyaka, Thando Ntini, Dane Paterson, Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne

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Prince: Kleinveldt, Malan partnership was remarkable

World Sports Betting Cape Cobras coach Ashwell Prince was encouraged with his team’s performance in the drawn match against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg in round 3 of the CSA 4 Day Domestic Series.

With bad light and rain hampering the match, it was always going to be tough for both teams to push for a win, but with the Dolphins 6-down by the time the captains shook hands on the draw, Prince was full of praise for his side.

“Once again, it was disappointing to run out of time to force home a result with bad light and rain on day 1 and 2 – more or less a full day’s play was washed out. That ended our chances of pushing on for the victory.

“In the first innings, it was really encouraging on a flat pitch to get them 9 wickets down for 325 so credit to all our bowlers. Unfortunately Pieter (Malan) lost his wicket early at the start of our 1st innings, but Janneman (Malan) and Matthew (Kleinveldt) were unbelievable in that partnership.

“To have a partnership of over 220, without barely offering up a chance to the fielding side, is remarkable and an unbelievable effort from those two.

“Kyle (Verryenne) chipped in with another half century – he is in rich vein of form at the moment.

“There has been a lot of comments of late about the depth and quality of cricket in our country, but these two younger guys, Janneman and Kyle, have showed what quality they have.

Prince was also full of praise for the ‘more experienced’ Kleinveldt who notched up a career-best 175 in his 100th First Class match.

“With Matthew being a senior provincial player for a number of years who has struggled to break into the Cobras team and get a continuous run of games, it was really rewarding for him and for everyone else in the system for him to get his career best of 175. He has waited a long time for his opportunity and he took it with both hands and we couldn’t be happier for him.”

With three away matches in a row up front in the competition, Prince has been encouraged by the determination of his side as they look to earn their first win of the campaign when they face up to the Warriors at Newlands starting on Monday.

“All in all, we’ve had 2 matches back-to-back where we’ve pushed our opposition to the end. We’ve played some good cricket and that first win is just around the corner,” he concluded.

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CHETTY FENDS OFF LATE COBRAS BITE TO SECURE DRAW

 

Two wickets each by Thando Ntini and Dane Paterson gave the Hollywoodbets Dolphins an almighty fright before Cody Chetty’s unbeaten half-century helped salvage a draw with the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras on the final day of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday.

 

There was also a career-best first-class innings from Matthew Kleinveldt and more impressive form by rising young star Kyle Verreynne as the visitors largely dominated day four at the City Oval.

 

They started by amassing 491 – an innings lead of 161 – and then ended it by doing everything to try and force the victory.

 

The Cape side had their opponents on the ropes at 81 for five, trailing by 80 and with more than 40 overs still go, before Chetty saved them with his defiant 63 (203 balls, 9 fours).

 

It completed a riveting day of action, the only fully completed one after the other three days saw some time lost on account of the weather in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

 

Led by Kleinveldt, the Cobras bossed the early part of the day as they soared into a big lead. The left-hander recorded an impressive 175 (373 balls, 22 fours) to beat his previous highest score of 173, with wonderful support coming through Verreynne – the 22-year-old continuing to impress this time with an attacking 78 off 98 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes).

 

The pair started the day together at 325 for three and ended up amassing 127 for the fourth wicket.

 

More big-hitting followed by Aviwe Mgijima (39 off 48 balls) and Ntini (17 not out off 17 balls), with Kleinveldt finally succumbing when he was ninth out.

 

The Cobras were eventually dismissed after 131.2 overs – the main wicket-takers for the Dolphins being spinners Smangaliso Nhlebela (4/109) and Prenelan Subrayen (4/132).

 

The home side then landed in some big early trouble after Paterson (2/50) struck twice in the opening over to take out Nhlebela and Marques Ackerman, both for ducks.

 

After Vaughn van Jaarsveld’s 37 calmed nerves, Jason Smith (1/28) and debutant Ntini’s double pushed the Durban-based side into deep trouble – the latter, who is the son of Proteas legend Makhaya, accounting for Khaya Zondo (11) and Andile Phehlukwayo (10) as he ended with two for 45.

 

Chetty, though, survived the storm and, together with Robbie Frylinck (44 not out), earned his side a hard-fought draw.

 

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VERREYNNE REPLACES MARKRAM AT PAARL ROCKS

 

 

Newly drafted Kyle Verreynne says he wants to help the Paarl Rocks win the 2019 Mzansi Super League title.

The Paarl Rocks franchise announced on Wednesday that the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras wicketkeeper-batsman  will replace injured Standard Bank Proteas batsman Aiden Markram.

Verreynne said he is really excited to be joining the Paarl Rocks.

“After playing against the Paarl Rocks last season and just seeing the support they had in Paarl and all around the country is something that really excites me,” he said.

The 22-year-old Verreynne is in red-hot form after striking consecutive centuries in the Cobras’ 4-Day Domestic Series draw against the Momentum Multiply Titans in Benoni last week.

“It is fantastic to be able to join a team with a lot of experienced players, internationals and domestic players. I hope to learn as much as possible from those players,” he said.

Capetonian Verreynne is a huge talent and finished as the second-highest run-scorer in this year’s One-Day Cup behind Markram.

He scored 453 runs in 9 innings at an average of 64.71 in that competition and it was that form that saw him included in the SA ‘A’ side.

Verreynne recently returned from his first-ever trip to India as part of the SA ‘A’ squad that played five ODIs on the sub-continent.

He is now looking forward to the Mzansi Super League, the vibe in Paarl and the ultimate prize.

“I’m looking forward to joining a team that did quite well in last season’s campaign. This year I want to help the team to win the title. The support in Paarl is always amazing, I’m really looking forward to that,” he said.

The Mzansi Super League (MSL 2.0) is taking place from 8 November to 16 December 2019.

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MALAN AND KLEINVELDT TONS PUT COBRAS LEVEL WITH DOLPHINS

 

Janneman Malan and Matthew Kleinveldt both struck centuries and shared in a double century stand as the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras hit back powerfully on the third day of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.

 

The pair put on 221 for the second wicket as they visitors responded to the hosts’ 325 for nine declared by reaching stumps on 325 for three.

 

It meant they were dead even on scores and, although still in a strong position, the weather-affected round three match appeared to be headed towards a draw with just the final day to come at the City Oval on Thursday.

 

With well over 100 overs already lost on account of rain and bad light in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands this week, the Dolphins opted to end their first innings overnight on day two.

 

But they needed to force early wickets to try and take the game forward. However, the only wickets they got were at either end of play.

 

Captain Pieter Malan fell in the fifth over of the day to give them hope – Robbie Frylinck (1/57) trapping the recent 10,000 first-class man leg before wicket for five.

 

But it was then one-way traffic in favour of the visitors with Malan and Kleinveldt sharing a punishing stand that lasted a little over 60 overs.

 

Right-hander Malan went on to complete his 10th red-ball century, before left-hander Kleinveldt followed for his maiden ton in four-day cricket and 11th overall.

 

The partnership finally broke moments before a post-tea rain delay when the former fell to Smangaliso Nhlebela (1/56) for an excellent 118 off 199 balls (14 fours, 2 sixes).

 

The teams then returned after a half-hour delay with Jason Smith (14) bowled by Andile Phehlukwayo (1/29) not long after.

 

However, Kleinveldt kept going and by the close had progressed to 137 not out off 281 balls (19 fours).

 

The in-form Kyle Verreynne (31) was alongside him with the pair sharing an unbroken stand of 65.

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