In a virtual repeat of last summer, the 2016-17 unfortunately did not start off too well with the Warriors completely outplayed by a rampant Dolphins side, who after scoring 478, dismissed the East Cape franchise for 230 and 178 and won by an innings and 70 runs.
This losing start has placed extra pressure on Maketa’s young shoulders. His mandate from the Eastern Cape franchise is to bring home some silverware in this 2016-17 summer’s three campaigns – the four-day Sunfoil Series and the 50-over and Twenty20 competitions.
The franchise has not been able to add any trophies to the two limited-overs cups they annexed in 2010 under former coach, Russell Domingo, now the head coach of the Proteas.
However, the victory of Eastern Province in the recent Africa Cup competition has given the 36-year-old – his birthday was last week – plenty of encouragement, but there are a number of telling factors against him which hopefully will not stop the Warriors from gaining trophies this summer.
The franchise has been without a sponsor for two full seasons and this unfortunately precludes the Warriors from signing up any of the top players from around the world.
“Yes, it’s not easy for our marketing department,” he said during a break in the clash against the Dolphins at Buffalo Park.
A second factor is that the former Warriors’ captain, star left-handed batsman Colin Ingram, has struggled with a knee injury for some time and is unlikely to play for another two months with an operation a distinct possibility.
“We really miss him. Colin is a great team man and a huge encouragement for the younger players,” said Maketa.
However, the team has plenty of experience with Simon Harmer taking over the four-day captaincy while Jon-Jon Smuts will take the lead in the limited-overs games, where over the years the Warriors have held their own and done well.
But most of the rest of the players are relatively inexperienced in the hurly-burly of top flight cricket.
“Colin Ackermann batted well last season and we are expecting much of him this season,” Maketa said.
“Our opener, Eddie Moore has shown plenty of potential and is a solid opening batsman while Michael Price at the top of the order should ensure we get good starts. And then ‘Moh’ Vallie, too, has made great strides in recent seasons. So we have a pretty solid top order.”
Regarding Harmer, Maketa said that the franchise expected big things from him as captain in the four-day matches and for his spin bowling skills, as well as his batting.
He stated that on the whole it was the bowling attack which did so well last summer.
He singled out medium-pacer Sisanda Magala as being one of the successes with the ball last season.
He was rewarded by being selected as one of the SA Cricketers of the Year by the SA Cricket Annual, a great honour for any player.
His 6\25 last April resulted in the Lions being dismissed for a paltry 68 in their first innings at St George’s Park, and a huge victory for the Warriors. The Knights were dismissed for 128 and 131 in Kimberley in another excellent bowling performance, resulting in a nine-wicket win for the Warriors within two days.
Magala was further rewarded when he was selected for SA A on tours to Zimbabwe and Australia.
“Yes, our bowlers had some good days with the ball,” he said. “It’s a pity, though that this was all at the end of the season; we struggled at the beginning.”
On a negative front, Maketa admitted that the fielding of the team needed extra work.
“We need to improve in this department,” he emphasised. “We dropped a few catches last season and some of them were costly. So we now concentrate on fielding at all our practice sessions.”
Maketa said that first and foremost coaches of the six South African franchises were expected to groom players to international standard and supply them, if possible for the Proteas squads or the South Africa A team, the next level up for top players.
“That’s one of my jobs and it’s not easy,” he said.
After the loss to the Dolphins, Maketa stated that the team would return to Port Elizabeth and then work hard on the weaknesses exposed in their opening match.
“However, I am confident that the boys will do well this season,” Maketa said.
Warriors ready to win big battles
This losing start has placed extra pressure on Maketa’s young shoulders. His mandate from the Eastern Cape franchise is to bring home some silverware in this 2016-17 summer’s three campaigns – the four-day Sunfoil Series and the 50-over and Twenty20 competitions.
The franchise has not been able to add any trophies to the two limited-overs cups they annexed in 2010 under former coach, Russell Domingo, now the head coach of the Proteas.
However, the victory of Eastern Province in the recent Africa Cup competition has given the 36-year-old – his birthday was last week – plenty of encouragement, but there are a number of telling factors against him which hopefully will not stop the Warriors from gaining trophies this summer.
The franchise has been without a sponsor for two full seasons and this unfortunately precludes the Warriors from signing up any of the top players from around the world.
“Yes, it’s not easy for our marketing department,” he said during a break in the clash against the Dolphins at Buffalo Park.
A second factor is that the former Warriors’ captain, star left-handed batsman Colin Ingram, has struggled with a knee injury for some time and is unlikely to play for another two months with an operation a distinct possibility.
“We really miss him. Colin is a great team man and a huge encouragement for the younger players,” said Maketa.
However, the team has plenty of experience with Simon Harmer taking over the four-day captaincy while Jon-Jon Smuts will take the lead in the limited-overs games, where over the years the Warriors have held their own and done well.
But most of the rest of the players are relatively inexperienced in the hurly-burly of top flight cricket.
“Colin Ackermann batted well last season and we are expecting much of him this season,” Maketa said.
“Our opener, Eddie Moore has shown plenty of potential and is a solid opening batsman while Michael Price at the top of the order should ensure we get good starts. And then ‘Moh’ Vallie, too, has made great strides in recent seasons. So we have a pretty solid top order.”
Regarding Harmer, Maketa said that the franchise expected big things from him as captain in the four-day matches and for his spin bowling skills, as well as his batting.
He stated that on the whole it was the bowling attack which did so well last summer.
He singled out medium-pacer Sisanda Magala as being one of the successes with the ball last season.
He was rewarded by being selected as one of the SA Cricketers of the Year by the SA Cricket Annual, a great honour for any player.
His 6\25 last April resulted in the Lions being dismissed for a paltry 68 in their first innings at St George’s Park, and a huge victory for the Warriors. The Knights were dismissed for 128 and 131 in Kimberley in another excellent bowling performance, resulting in a nine-wicket win for the Warriors within two days.
Magala was further rewarded when he was selected for SA A on tours to Zimbabwe and Australia.
“Yes, our bowlers had some good days with the ball,” he said. “It’s a pity, though that this was all at the end of the season; we struggled at the beginning.”
On a negative front, Maketa admitted that the fielding of the team needed extra work.
“We need to improve in this department,” he emphasised. “We dropped a few catches last season and some of them were costly. So we now concentrate on fielding at all our practice sessions.”
Maketa said that first and foremost coaches of the six South African franchises were expected to groom players to international standard and supply them, if possible for the Proteas squads or the South Africa A team, the next level up for top players.
“That’s one of my jobs and it’s not easy,” he said.
After the loss to the Dolphins, Maketa stated that the team would return to Port Elizabeth and then work hard on the weaknesses exposed in their opening match.
“However, I am confident that the boys will do well this season,” Maketa said.
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