Border and Eastern Province will both be out to protect their unbeaten starts to the 2017-18 Sunfoil 3-Day Cup season as they head into battle at Buffalo Park today.
Border has drawn one and won one of their two matches so far and come into the match with good momentum after beating Western Province last time out, while EP have drawn all three of their matches so far, including their most recent game against South Western Districts.
However, both teams have had a bit of a break between their last fixtures, with Border last in action almost four weeks ago, while EP has had a three-week break, so both sides will need to hit the ground running.
“It is always a very good match. It is a local derby and there is always a bit extra in the game when we take on Eastern Province,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.
“The guys are really keen to get back on the field. We have had a few weeks off and the team is itching to get back out there and put in a positive performance.”
In all Border have won three games and drawn won so far including their CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge results, and they will thus be keen to continue their winning run, with their three wins all coming in a row.
“It has been a really good start to the season. Three wins and a draw is impressive, but it is still very early in the season, so we must not get ahead of ourselves,” said Plaatjes.
“But our season goal is to not lose any games. It will be tough in the one days but we will give it our all and see how we do.”
To get a result in three-day cricket teams have to get off to a fast start, and Border will be targeting that against EP.
“We just need to follow our processes and keep it simple. If we do all of the basics right the result will take care of itself,” said Plaatjes.
“But we will be targeting a good first innings score. We back our bowlers to put in a good performance, so we want our batting to support them well with a good effort first up.”
EP will be gunning for a first win in the three-day competition, and will be eager to get a positive result over their closest rivals to pick up some good momentum.
“It is normally an exciting game against Border. We have a lot of respect for them as they have become a very competitive and experienced team over the years,” said EP coach Piet Botha.
“So we know we are up for it and we really have to be at our best to compete.
“Hopefully we can play good enough cricket to put the pressure on them. We certainly have got the players to do it.
“The first innings is always very important. Whether we bat or bowl first it is always that first innings that defines how the match will go, and we have to get off to a strong start if we want to win the match.”
The game gets under way at 10am today.
Following the three-day match Border and EP will compete in their one-day encounter on Sunday starting at 9.30am.
Border plan for a quick kill from start
Border has drawn one and won one of their two matches so far and come into the match with good momentum after beating Western Province last time out, while EP have drawn all three of their matches so far, including their most recent game against South Western Districts.
However, both teams have had a bit of a break between their last fixtures, with Border last in action almost four weeks ago, while EP has had a three-week break, so both sides will need to hit the ground running.
“It is always a very good match. It is a local derby and there is always a bit extra in the game when we take on Eastern Province,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.
“The guys are really keen to get back on the field. We have had a few weeks off and the team is itching to get back out there and put in a positive performance.”
In all Border have won three games and drawn won so far including their CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge results, and they will thus be keen to continue their winning run, with their three wins all coming in a row.
“It has been a really good start to the season. Three wins and a draw is impressive, but it is still very early in the season, so we must not get ahead of ourselves,” said Plaatjes.
“But our season goal is to not lose any games. It will be tough in the one days but we will give it our all and see how we do.”
To get a result in three-day cricket teams have to get off to a fast start, and Border will be targeting that against EP.
“We just need to follow our processes and keep it simple. If we do all of the basics right the result will take care of itself,” said Plaatjes.
“But we will be targeting a good first innings score. We back our bowlers to put in a good performance, so we want our batting to support them well with a good effort first up.”
EP will be gunning for a first win in the three-day competition, and will be eager to get a positive result over their closest rivals to pick up some good momentum.
“It is normally an exciting game against Border. We have a lot of respect for them as they have become a very competitive and experienced team over the years,” said EP coach Piet Botha.
“So we know we are up for it and we really have to be at our best to compete.
“Hopefully we can play good enough cricket to put the pressure on them. We certainly have got the players to do it.
“The first innings is always very important. Whether we bat or bowl first it is always that first innings that defines how the match will go, and we have to get off to a strong start if we want to win the match.”
The game gets under way at 10am today.
Following the three-day match Border and EP will compete in their one-day encounter on Sunday starting at 9.30am.
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