Battle lines have been drawn and fierce rivalry is set to resume as Border and Eastern Province go head-to-head in top-class cricketing action today.
They first engage in a Sunfoil Three-Day Cup match over the next three days, before ending with what should be a very entertaining T20 clash on Sunday.
Both teams will go all out for the win in their three-day match as neither have managed to claim full points this season.
“The derby is always a big game for both teams and we want to do well against them,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.
“The players are looking good and ready for the match.”
Border suffered defeat in their opening match, away to North West, and were then beaten on their return home against Western Province two weeks ago.
Playing their second game at home and against such a fierce rival Border will be eager to kickstart their season with a big win and lift themselves off the foot of pool A.
“We have had a poor start to the season and definitely have something to prove, so the guys will be going all out,” said Plaatjes.
EP have have drawn both of their opening matches which were both played away, first against Easterns and then again against South Western Districts (SWD).
With this being their third away match on the trot they will want to keep their good away form intact and not slip up at Border.
EP will play one more set of away fixtures before they return home and will want to build up some momentum before their home run.
Border named an unchanged squad for the match for the first time this season.
“Despite our slow start there is no need to panic,” said Plaatjes.
“We know the quality of the players that we have, so we know if we just believe in the guys and stick with them things will come right.”
Only Loyiso Mdashe has been added to the squad after he made a successful return to action with the University of Fort Hare (UFH) team having recovered from a recent shoulder injury.
He will add strength to an already impressive Border bowling lineup. However, it is their batting that needs to drastically improve as it has constantly put them in positions this season.
With a number of top batsmen in their lineup Border will hope that they can put in a strong performance over the coming days.
“Preparation for the game has been good. We have been setting certain targets for the batsmen and it’s only a matter of time before they reach them,” said Plaatjes.
EP have made only one change to the side that played SWD as Warriors opener Michael Price returns to the fold in place of rising young talent Kirwin Christoffels.
Squads: Border – Somila Seyibokwe, Gionne Koopman, Jongile Kilani, Martin Walters (capt), Darryl Brown, Marco Marais, Tapelo Letsholo, Thondolwethu Mnyaka, Phaphama Fojela, Yanda Pangabantu, Brandon Williams, Kevin Bennett, Sinovuyo Nqoba, Mkhululi Calana, Loyiso Mdashe
Eastern Province – Michael Price, David White, Edward Moore, Kelly Smuts, Mathew Christensen, Sithembiso Ndwandwa, Onke Nyaku, Brad Dolley, Tladi Bokako, Ngazibini Sigwili, Ethan O’Reilly.
Border must mean business in EP tie
They first engage in a Sunfoil Three-Day Cup match over the next three days, before ending with what should be a very entertaining T20 clash on Sunday.
Both teams will go all out for the win in their three-day match as neither have managed to claim full points this season.
“The derby is always a big game for both teams and we want to do well against them,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.
“The players are looking good and ready for the match.”
Border suffered defeat in their opening match, away to North West, and were then beaten on their return home against Western Province two weeks ago.
Playing their second game at home and against such a fierce rival Border will be eager to kickstart their season with a big win and lift themselves off the foot of pool A.
“We have had a poor start to the season and definitely have something to prove, so the guys will be going all out,” said Plaatjes.
EP have have drawn both of their opening matches which were both played away, first against Easterns and then again against South Western Districts (SWD).
With this being their third away match on the trot they will want to keep their good away form intact and not slip up at Border.
EP will play one more set of away fixtures before they return home and will want to build up some momentum before their home run.
Border named an unchanged squad for the match for the first time this season.
“Despite our slow start there is no need to panic,” said Plaatjes.
“We know the quality of the players that we have, so we know if we just believe in the guys and stick with them things will come right.”
Only Loyiso Mdashe has been added to the squad after he made a successful return to action with the University of Fort Hare (UFH) team having recovered from a recent shoulder injury.
He will add strength to an already impressive Border bowling lineup. However, it is their batting that needs to drastically improve as it has constantly put them in positions this season.
With a number of top batsmen in their lineup Border will hope that they can put in a strong performance over the coming days.
“Preparation for the game has been good. We have been setting certain targets for the batsmen and it’s only a matter of time before they reach them,” said Plaatjes.
EP have made only one change to the side that played SWD as Warriors opener Michael Price returns to the fold in place of rising young talent Kirwin Christoffels.
Squads: Border – Somila Seyibokwe, Gionne Koopman, Jongile Kilani, Martin Walters (capt), Darryl Brown, Marco Marais, Tapelo Letsholo, Thondolwethu Mnyaka, Phaphama Fojela, Yanda Pangabantu, Brandon Williams, Kevin Bennett, Sinovuyo Nqoba, Mkhululi Calana, Loyiso Mdashe
Eastern Province – Michael Price, David White, Edward Moore, Kelly Smuts, Mathew Christensen, Sithembiso Ndwandwa, Onke Nyaku, Brad Dolley, Tladi Bokako, Ngazibini Sigwili, Ethan O’Reilly.
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