Since the beginning of this season’s T20 Challenge, the Cape Cobras have suffered injuries to six first-choice players.
Robin Peterson, Sybrand Engelbrecht, George Linde (all hand-related), along with Wayne Parnell (hand and foot), Dane Paterson (back) and Kieron Pollard (knee), have been laid low at various stages of the campaign.
Pollard of course is the most serious, with the West Indian ruled out for the rest of the competition, while the jury is still out on whether Paterson and Linde will be ready for the playoffs should the Cobras qualify.
It certainly is crisis time at Newlands, especially with the Cobras sitting in third place and chasing that much sought-after playoff spot with three round-robin matches left.
It is unlikely that the Titans will be overtaken at the summit of the log and surrender the advantage of hosting a home final at SuperSport Park, leaving the Cobras to fight for second or third place.
Experience, cool heads and sound judgement is required during these periods, so Cobras coach Paul Adams can thank his lucky stars he is able to call on veteran all-rounder Justin Kemp as the business end of the tournament fast approaches.
At 38 years old, it is unrealistic to expect Kemp to still have those silky skills that saw him being a prominent member of the Proteas limited-overs squads during the early part of this millennium.
However, the former Cobras captain is still able to do a quality job, judging by the way he was striking the ball into the North Stand at Newlands on Wednesday.
“I must admit that it is a surprise to play at this stage. But injuries do happen and I’m very happy to be in the mix again,” Kemp said. “I signed a one-year contract extension (last season), but with Kieron back and Wayne joining this season, it was primarily as a cover option.
“I obviously haven’t hit many balls as I’ve been helping more in a bowling capacity thus far this season. (But) I’ve played this game for 20 years, so it’s not going to take a huge amount to get ready. We’ll give it a go.”
The Cobras can certainly do with Kemp’s trademark long-range hitting at the back-end of the innings as the defending champions’ middle-order has limped through this campaign.
It is an area that needs improvement, especially against a team like the Highveld Lions, who rely heavily on spin duo Aaron Phangiso and Eddie Leie during the middle part of the innings.
“We’ve been a bit hit-and-miss thus far,” Kemp said. “Our batting has been a bit disappointing. I think our bowling unit’s been excellent. Even on Friday evening against the Titans, we pulled it back nicely.
“I think the combinations just need to click. If we can get that sorted out, we will be in the mix.”
Adams will be hoping that his stalwart finds his groove this week in order to be fit and raring to go on Sunday at the Bullring.
It might be a risk to bank on a 38-year-old who hasn’t played any competitive cricket this summer, but Kemp doesn’t resemble comic book hero Clark Kent – aka Superman – for nothing.
@IndyCapeSport