The Warriors are heading to East London today looking for a boost in their quest for Sunfoil Series glory as they take on the buildNat Cape Cobras tomorrow morning at Buffalo Park.
Fresh from a rain affected draw against the Sunfoil Dolphins in Durban this past weekend, the Warriors will be aiming to make up ground on the Sunfoil Series log with them sitting in fourth place.
However, with just over 10 points separating the top five teams and the Warriors just over six points behind the log leading Titans, plenty of teams are still in striking distance and a loss at this stage could see teams losing ground on the pace setters.
“Every match from now until the end of the season is like a final for us, so we need to be at the top of our game,” said Warriors coach Malibongwe Maketa.
The Cobras, however, will be desperate to win as they are rooted to the foot of the log and will be looking to build on their first win of the 2016/2017 season over the bizhub Highveld Lions this past weekend.
“The Cobras are a great side. It is always a good challenge against them and we are looking forward to it,” said Maketa.
The Warriors were perhaps lucky that rain intervened in the Dolphins game as, after posting 231 all out in their first innings, the Dolphins ended day two on 243/2, well on course to set the Warriors a difficult target to save the match.
However, the entire third day was washed out, followed by intermittent rain throughout day four, only allowing 40 overs to be bowled, with the Dolphins moving their score to 361/4 when play was called off.
It was not the best performance from the Warriors and they will hope that a return home, to a ground they traditionally have done very well on, will give them a boost and help them claim a positive result.
“We have got in a really good few days of preparation and we will have another session tomorrow so we will have no excuses not to perform in the match,” said Maketa.
“But we are looking forward to the game at Buffalo Park. It is usually a hard working wicket and we do very well on it.”
Only one change has been made to the Warriors squad that took on the Dolphins, with Tladi Bokako dropping out and Aya Gqamane coming back in.
“Aya is our only change to the squad. He played very well for Border against Eastern Province, so although we will only name the team once we have assessed the conditions he will be fighting for a place in it,” said Maketa.
Tomorrow’s match gets under way at 10am and entrance to the ground for all four days is free, so fans are encouraged to come out in their numbers and cheer on the Warriors.
Warriors squad: Colin Ackermann, Gionne Koopman, Basheer Walters, Sisanda Magala, Eddie Moore, Clyde Fortuin, Somila Seyibokwe, Jerry Nqolo, Yaseen Vallie, Lesiba Ngoepe, Simon Harmer (capt), Aya Gqamane
Warriors look to step up pace against Cobras
Fresh from a rain affected draw against the Sunfoil Dolphins in Durban this past weekend, the Warriors will be aiming to make up ground on the Sunfoil Series log with them sitting in fourth place.
However, with just over 10 points separating the top five teams and the Warriors just over six points behind the log leading Titans, plenty of teams are still in striking distance and a loss at this stage could see teams losing ground on the pace setters.
“Every match from now until the end of the season is like a final for us, so we need to be at the top of our game,” said Warriors coach Malibongwe Maketa.
The Cobras, however, will be desperate to win as they are rooted to the foot of the log and will be looking to build on their first win of the 2016/2017 season over the bizhub Highveld Lions this past weekend.
“The Cobras are a great side. It is always a good challenge against them and we are looking forward to it,” said Maketa.
The Warriors were perhaps lucky that rain intervened in the Dolphins game as, after posting 231 all out in their first innings, the Dolphins ended day two on 243/2, well on course to set the Warriors a difficult target to save the match.
However, the entire third day was washed out, followed by intermittent rain throughout day four, only allowing 40 overs to be bowled, with the Dolphins moving their score to 361/4 when play was called off.
It was not the best performance from the Warriors and they will hope that a return home, to a ground they traditionally have done very well on, will give them a boost and help them claim a positive result.
“We have got in a really good few days of preparation and we will have another session tomorrow so we will have no excuses not to perform in the match,” said Maketa.
“But we are looking forward to the game at Buffalo Park. It is usually a hard working wicket and we do very well on it.”
Only one change has been made to the Warriors squad that took on the Dolphins, with Tladi Bokako dropping out and Aya Gqamane coming back in.
“Aya is our only change to the squad. He played very well for Border against Eastern Province, so although we will only name the team once we have assessed the conditions he will be fighting for a place in it,” said Maketa.
Tomorrow’s match gets under way at 10am and entrance to the ground for all four days is free, so fans are encouraged to come out in their numbers and cheer on the Warriors.
Warriors squad: Colin Ackermann, Gionne Koopman, Basheer Walters, Sisanda Magala, Eddie Moore, Clyde Fortuin, Somila Seyibokwe, Jerry Nqolo, Yaseen Vallie, Lesiba Ngoepe, Simon Harmer (capt), Aya Gqamane
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