Two testing cricket games in three days is the scenario the Warriors face in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge this weekend.
Coach Malibongwe Maketa’s team is in Paarl today for the first game against a strong Cobras unit and then travel across the country to Durban to take on swashbuckling Kevin Pietersen and the Dolphins at Kingsmead.
Playing two fixtures, back-to-back on the road is no easy task but there is a calm mood and firm belief apparent in the Warriors camp that they have what it takes to go all the way.
“We are confident. We know for this competition we need to fight above our weight and we’ve hard preparing for that and are excited about the challenge of playing big teams,” Maketa said this week.
The Cobras will be missing Robbie Peterson, who has a broken finger. He will be missed by the home side – but not too much, Maketa said.
“They have a lot of players there ready to play. We have got a lot of respect for Robbie but him not playing just creates an opportunity for a younger player who wants to come in and showcase his skills on the big stage. Whoever comes in for him, we know it’s going to be a quality player because they have so many resources.”
The Warriors have retained the same squad which beat the Knights in what was a seven-over smash-and-grab and included a one-over eliminator.
There has been the odd finger pointed in the direction of the Warriors’ death bowling despite the win over the Knights. In the helter-skelter of such an abbreviated version of the game, it is understandable that the odd delivery goes astray.
Maketa said his team has been working around the clock to prevent bowling extra deliveries.
“In our team, anybody should be able to bowl at the death. At the end of the day, we work hard, so Colin has three or more options to decide which way he wants to go.”
Captain Ingram has been in fine form for the Warriors in both competitions this season and his contribution with the bat this weekend may prove crucial.
The squad is: Colin Ingram (capt), Colin Ackermann, Andrew Birch, Gihahn Cloete, Clyde Fortuin, Aya Gqamane, Christiaan Jonker, Sisanda Magala, Lundi Mbane, Jerry Nqolo, Jon-Jon Smuts, Yaseen Vallie, Basheer Walters
Warriors confident of making it double win
Coach Malibongwe Maketa’s team is in Paarl today for the first game against a strong Cobras unit and then travel across the country to Durban to take on swashbuckling Kevin Pietersen and the Dolphins at Kingsmead.
Playing two fixtures, back-to-back on the road is no easy task but there is a calm mood and firm belief apparent in the Warriors camp that they have what it takes to go all the way.
“We are confident. We know for this competition we need to fight above our weight and we’ve hard preparing for that and are excited about the challenge of playing big teams,” Maketa said this week.
The Cobras will be missing Robbie Peterson, who has a broken finger. He will be missed by the home side – but not too much, Maketa said.
“They have a lot of players there ready to play. We have got a lot of respect for Robbie but him not playing just creates an opportunity for a younger player who wants to come in and showcase his skills on the big stage. Whoever comes in for him, we know it’s going to be a quality player because they have so many resources.”
The Warriors have retained the same squad which beat the Knights in what was a seven-over smash-and-grab and included a one-over eliminator.
There has been the odd finger pointed in the direction of the Warriors’ death bowling despite the win over the Knights. In the helter-skelter of such an abbreviated version of the game, it is understandable that the odd delivery goes astray.
Maketa said his team has been working around the clock to prevent bowling extra deliveries.
“In our team, anybody should be able to bowl at the death. At the end of the day, we work hard, so Colin has three or more options to decide which way he wants to go.”
Captain Ingram has been in fine form for the Warriors in both competitions this season and his contribution with the bat this weekend may prove crucial.
The squad is: Colin Ingram (capt), Colin Ackermann, Andrew Birch, Gihahn Cloete, Clyde Fortuin, Aya Gqamane, Christiaan Jonker, Sisanda Magala, Lundi Mbane, Jerry Nqolo, Jon-Jon Smuts, Yaseen Vallie, Basheer Walters
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