SOUTHERN CAPE CRICKET NEWS - The Recreation Ground (REC) in Oudtshoorn will be the venue for the Cobras' opening fixture of their Momentum One-day Cup campaign for the 2019/20 season when they take on the Warriors on Sunday.
An extra bonus for the host, SWD Cricket, is that the match will be broadcast live on Supersport 2.
SWD Cricket chief executive officer, Albertus Kennedy, said they hope to attract a capacity crowd. "We really hope that the profile of the players will encourage cricket fans to make their way to the ground."
The recent good rains were vital to the improvement of the quality of the outfield, as the Klein Karoo is suffering from one of the worst droughts ever experienced.
The Cobras were victorious in both their previous one-day outings at the REC, beating the Warriors by 78 runs in December 2017 and defeating the Lions by 21 runs in February 2019.
Ashwell Prince and his men will be keen to get their campaign off to a bright start as they are able to field several international players, including Zubair Hamza, Pieter Malan and Dane Paterson, all of whom represented the Proteas in the recent test series against England.
Another key player for the Newlands-based team will be George Linde, who always performs well at the REC. The Warriors, who are coached by Ashwell Prince's ex-Proteas teammate, Robin Pietersen, enjoy playing in Oudtshoorn. Former SWD bowling hero Glenton Stuurman, who was included in the Warriors squad, will make a return to his home ground. Another former SWD player, Hanno Kotzé, was included in the Cobras squad. Tickets for the match are for sale at the SWD Cricket offices at the REC in Oudtshoorn and at the gates on match day. Extra parking will be available in the area next to the municipal offices on the eastern side of the REC. The area near Vrede Street towards at the southern end of the ground will be closed for the day due to the television broadcast.
The teams are:
Cobras: Pieter Malan, Zubayer Hamza, David Beddingham, Jason Smith, Aviwe Mgijima, George Linde, Dane Piedt, Rory Kleinveldt, Dane Paterson, Nandré Burger, Thando Ntini, Hanno Kotzé and Mihlali Mpongwana.
Warriors: Gihaan Cloete, Matthew Breetzke, Sinethemba Qeshile, Mohamed Vallie, Rudi Second, Marco Marais, Onke Nyaku, Aya Gqamane, Andrew Birch, Glenton Stuurman, Dyllan Matthews, Lesiba Ngoepe and Sthembile Langa
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