A confident Warriors outfit will set out to get a positive result against the Chevrolet Knights when the penultimate Sunfoil Series clash of the season gets under way at Buffalo Park today.
With the season drawing to a close next weekend the Warriors are looking for a powerful finish to take into the close season.
“The team is feeling very confident,” said Warriors coach Malibongwe Maketa.
“We want to finish the season strong and the mind-set I have instilled in the guys is we want to play these last two games as if they are the first two games of the season.”
It is the final professional game of cricket at Buffalo Park for the season and should see four days of top-class action as the two teams battle it out for victory.
Neither team is in the running for this year’s Sunfoil Series crown as both are too far adrift of the table-topping bizhub Highveld Lions.
The Warriors currently sit in fourth place, just a point ahead of the Knights who are in fifth.
Thus whoever wins this match will give them a great chance of finishing above the other when the season comes to a close next weekend.
The Warriors will be looking to keep faith with most of the team that earned draws over the Lions and Cobras in their last two matches, with only one definite change in Luthando Mnyanda not making the cut.
Border's Gionne Koopman and South Western Districts Brendon Louw have been added to the squad, while Eastern Provinces Bokako Tladi has been 12th-man in the last few games and either one could be involved in today's match.
All-rounder Koopman, who made his Warriors début earlier this season could get the nod if they want an additional spinning option to backup Simon Harmer.
“We will have a look at the conditions tomorrow at which way we will go in terms of the team and make a final decision early morning,” said Maketa.
“But we should only have one or two changes, and we will keep faith with most of the guys who have been playing the past few games.”
Of importance to the Warriors will be putting in a strong first innings effort after their previous two games saw poor first innings by their batsmen put them under immense pressure and rob them of any real chance of winning the match.
However, they will look to take their second innings heroics against the Cobras last weekend, where their top three batsmen, David White (57), Michael Price (94) and Colin Ackermann (53no) all scored half centuries, into today's clash with the Knights and put in a good performance.
Border all-rounder Darryl Brown will be aiming to continue his very impressive batting form in the lower reaches of the Warriors order, having scored three consecutive half centuries in his last three innings, while batsman Somila Seyibokwe will want to use his home-ground knowledge to his advantage and put in a strong showing.
The Warriors bowling attack will also look to get back into form after battling in their last few games. However, the trio of strike bowlers, Andrew Birch, Sisanda Magala and Basheer Walters have had a decent season so far and they will be looking to put in a top fight over the next four days.
“We have had a lot of time in the field recently so hopefully we can knock some sticks over this time,” said Maketa.
“If we bat first we will need to put the runs on the board and if we bowl first we will look to our bowlers to keep the opposition in check.”
Today's match gets under way at 10.30am.
Warriors aim to put Knights to the sword
With the season drawing to a close next weekend the Warriors are looking for a powerful finish to take into the close season.
“The team is feeling very confident,” said Warriors coach Malibongwe Maketa.
“We want to finish the season strong and the mind-set I have instilled in the guys is we want to play these last two games as if they are the first two games of the season.”
It is the final professional game of cricket at Buffalo Park for the season and should see four days of top-class action as the two teams battle it out for victory.
Neither team is in the running for this year’s Sunfoil Series crown as both are too far adrift of the table-topping bizhub Highveld Lions.
The Warriors currently sit in fourth place, just a point ahead of the Knights who are in fifth.
Thus whoever wins this match will give them a great chance of finishing above the other when the season comes to a close next weekend.
The Warriors will be looking to keep faith with most of the team that earned draws over the Lions and Cobras in their last two matches, with only one definite change in Luthando Mnyanda not making the cut.
Border's Gionne Koopman and South Western Districts Brendon Louw have been added to the squad, while Eastern Provinces Bokako Tladi has been 12th-man in the last few games and either one could be involved in today's match.
All-rounder Koopman, who made his Warriors début earlier this season could get the nod if they want an additional spinning option to backup Simon Harmer.
“We will have a look at the conditions tomorrow at which way we will go in terms of the team and make a final decision early morning,” said Maketa.
“But we should only have one or two changes, and we will keep faith with most of the guys who have been playing the past few games.”
Of importance to the Warriors will be putting in a strong first innings effort after their previous two games saw poor first innings by their batsmen put them under immense pressure and rob them of any real chance of winning the match.
However, they will look to take their second innings heroics against the Cobras last weekend, where their top three batsmen, David White (57), Michael Price (94) and Colin Ackermann (53no) all scored half centuries, into today's clash with the Knights and put in a good performance.
Border all-rounder Darryl Brown will be aiming to continue his very impressive batting form in the lower reaches of the Warriors order, having scored three consecutive half centuries in his last three innings, while batsman Somila Seyibokwe will want to use his home-ground knowledge to his advantage and put in a strong showing.
The Warriors bowling attack will also look to get back into form after battling in their last few games. However, the trio of strike bowlers, Andrew Birch, Sisanda Magala and Basheer Walters have had a decent season so far and they will be looking to put in a top fight over the next four days.
“We have had a lot of time in the field recently so hopefully we can knock some sticks over this time,” said Maketa.
“If we bat first we will need to put the runs on the board and if we bowl first we will look to our bowlers to keep the opposition in check.”
Today's match gets under way at 10.30am.
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