The top-of-the-table Warriors will be gunning to continue their superb Sunfoil Series form at Buffalo Park this week when they take on the Knights in their penultimate match of the season, starting tomorrow.
The Warriors lead a congested log that sees four teams within six points of each other and will be looking to make it three wins from three in East London against the third-placed Knights.
“It has been a while since the Warriors have been in contention for the Sunfoil Series trophy, so the guys are amped for the match,” admitted Warriors captain Jon Jon Smuts.
“The fact that we have a game in East London where we have played two and won two is really exciting so hopefully we can continue that form at Buffalo Park over the next four days.”
The Warriors moved to the summit after an incredible win over the Titans at the ground two weeks ago, taking two wickets off the final two balls of the match to get the win.
This followed on from the Warriors only other win in the competition last month against the Lions at Buffalo Park.
“It has been really good wickets that the groundsman Ashley (Nel) has prepared, a good contest between bat and ball which is really exciting and hopefully he will produce another really good one which I am sure he will and it will be a very good game,” claimed Smuts.
“I think so far the two matches we have had here have been really exciting games of cricket and hopefully that can continue and we can come out on top again.”
The only change to the Warriors squad for tomorrow's match sees experienced all-rounder Colin Ackermann unavailable due to being on honeymoon after he got married last week, while Border captain Gionne Koopman steps into the breach.
Koopman hasn't been a part of the Warriors squad since October last year, so should he get a chance to play he will be looking to grab the opportunity with both hands.
“Obviously I am very keen to be back in the mix, the starting team hasn't been picked yet, but I have been doing well this season so if I get a chance I want to help the team to get another win,” said Koopman.
“Every player wants to play Franchise cricket, so it is nice to be included in the squad but competition for places is fierce, so we will just have to see on Thursday who takes to the field and I must just be prepared to play if called upon.”
Koopman will be boosted by his performance for Border over the past weekend where he scored 73 during a three-day match and an unbeaten 126 in a one-day against North West in Potchefstroom, but admits Franchise cricket is at a different level.
“Each game is different, so I am just taking it one game at a time, conditions in Potch are different to East London and Franchise cricket is a different level, so it is a totally different challenge,” admitted Koopman.
Tomorrow's match gets under way at 10am.
Warriors squad is: Eddie Moore, Gihahn Cloete, Jon-Jon Smuts (capt), Yaseen Vallie, Gionne Koopman, Lesiba Ngoepe, Clyde Fortuin, Andrew Birch, Aya Gqamane, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Simon Harmer, Tladi Bokako.
Other teams in action over the next four days include the tussle between second on the log Cobras and fourth on the table Titans in Paarl and the clash between Lions and Dolphins in Johannes
Warriors can sense they’re close to clinching big prize
The Warriors lead a congested log that sees four teams within six points of each other and will be looking to make it three wins from three in East London against the third-placed Knights.
“It has been a while since the Warriors have been in contention for the Sunfoil Series trophy, so the guys are amped for the match,” admitted Warriors captain Jon Jon Smuts.
“The fact that we have a game in East London where we have played two and won two is really exciting so hopefully we can continue that form at Buffalo Park over the next four days.”
The Warriors moved to the summit after an incredible win over the Titans at the ground two weeks ago, taking two wickets off the final two balls of the match to get the win.
This followed on from the Warriors only other win in the competition last month against the Lions at Buffalo Park.
“It has been really good wickets that the groundsman Ashley (Nel) has prepared, a good contest between bat and ball which is really exciting and hopefully he will produce another really good one which I am sure he will and it will be a very good game,” claimed Smuts.
“I think so far the two matches we have had here have been really exciting games of cricket and hopefully that can continue and we can come out on top again.”
The only change to the Warriors squad for tomorrow's match sees experienced all-rounder Colin Ackermann unavailable due to being on honeymoon after he got married last week, while Border captain Gionne Koopman steps into the breach.
Koopman hasn't been a part of the Warriors squad since October last year, so should he get a chance to play he will be looking to grab the opportunity with both hands.
“Obviously I am very keen to be back in the mix, the starting team hasn't been picked yet, but I have been doing well this season so if I get a chance I want to help the team to get another win,” said Koopman.
“Every player wants to play Franchise cricket, so it is nice to be included in the squad but competition for places is fierce, so we will just have to see on Thursday who takes to the field and I must just be prepared to play if called upon.”
Koopman will be boosted by his performance for Border over the past weekend where he scored 73 during a three-day match and an unbeaten 126 in a one-day against North West in Potchefstroom, but admits Franchise cricket is at a different level.
“Each game is different, so I am just taking it one game at a time, conditions in Potch are different to East London and Franchise cricket is a different level, so it is a totally different challenge,” admitted Koopman.
Tomorrow's match gets under way at 10am.
Warriors squad is: Eddie Moore, Gihahn Cloete, Jon-Jon Smuts (capt), Yaseen Vallie, Gionne Koopman, Lesiba Ngoepe, Clyde Fortuin, Andrew Birch, Aya Gqamane, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Simon Harmer, Tladi Bokako.
Other teams in action over the next four days include the tussle between second on the log Cobras and fourth on the table Titans in Paarl and the clash between Lions and Dolphins in Johannes
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