Paul Adams’ Cape Cobras returns to the Champions League T20 after a two-year leave of absence. Considering the Cobras’ success across all other formats – they have won/shared four of the last six titles on offer domestically – and the abundance of Proteas on their roster, it was non-negotiable that the Western Cape franchise dine at the main table once again.
The Cobras seem to have an unwritten rule that they only play Champions League in India, with this being their third adventure on the subcontinent, having missed the two jamborees that were held on home soil. The maiden semi-final appearance remains their best effort after a first-round blowout of 2012.
It will require a huge effort from Paul Adams’s team to better the 2010 trailblazers, especially as they are a bit Galactico-lean at this tournament, with superstars JP Duminy (injured), Dale Steyn (rest) and Beuran Hendricks (injured) not part of the touring party. Jacques Kallis has also opted to play for Kolkata Knight Riders, while former Test captain Graeme Smith has retired.
Steyn and Hendricks’s non-availability has forced Adams into a major reshuffle of the cards, with veteran swing-bowler Charl Langeveldt having to come out of retirement for one last shot at the big prize. Considering the conditions expected at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur tonight, Langeveldt’s late inclusion could just be the ace in the pack though as off-spinner Dane Piedt is likely to miss out.
Tonight’s opponents, the Northern Knights, had the ball swinging around corners in their qualifying games here as New Zealand internationals Tim Southee and Trent Boult had the white ball speaking out loud.
And while Langeveldt may be swinging towards 40 now, the former Proteas opening bowler still has that beautiful away-swinger that just kisses the deck before moving ever so slightly past the right-hander’s bat.
It may be uncommon in regular Twenty20 action, where inner-ring fielders are pushed to the edge of the circle and boundary riders despatched almost from the outset, but the Cobras are likely to attack the Knights by carrying a couple of slip fielders tonight, especially when a new batsman comes to the crease.
Key battles
Hashim Amla and Stiaan Van Zyl v Tim Southee and Trent Boult
Twenty20 has been around long enough now for some trends to emerge, and the most important one is the value of the first six powerplay overs.
The overwhelming statistic is that teams barely recover to go on and win a match if three wickets are lost during this period.
And this where especially Amla’s experience will be of vital importance to the Cobras. Southee is ranked No 7 on the ICC Test rankings, while Boult is just a few places down at No 11, and have the skills to do the damage upfront.
Likewise with the ball, the Cobras’ attack of Langeveldt, Vernon Philander and Rory Kleinveldt will look to nip out in-form Black Caps star Kane Williamson early.
Justin Kemp v Scott Styris
These two cricketers have probably forgotten most things that some youngsters still have to learn, that’s how long have they been on the circuit.
But that is why their value simply quadruples for their respective teams as they are often the calm heads during the manic moments that T20 has a unique way of creating. They will both bat in the middle-order and offer a bit of “seam up” and “change up” with the ball, while guiding the young men around them.
quick facts
w The Knights have eight full-fledged New Zealand internationals in their starting XI, with only Daryl Mitchell, Daniel Harris, Scott Kuggeleijn yet to represent the Black Caps.
w The Cobras are also likely to field eight Proteas caps today, with Stiaan van Zyl, Omphile Ramela and Aviwe Mgijima yet to play for South Africa.
w Anton Devcich’s beard rivals Hashim Amla’s, but unlike Amla who wears his for religious reasons, the Knights opener has a pact with his friends back home to grow his facial hair for a year.
Quotes
“We have had some intensive sessions trying to aclimitise to the conditions and now we just want to get out on the park. I think striking up front will be vital as I don’t think the Knights were put under pressure in the qualifiers,” – Cobras coach Paul Adams
“We walked into this tournament wanting to qualify first and then take it from there. Now that we have done that, we would not be here if we didn’t think we could win it and I think we can win it with the team that we have got.” – Knights opener Anton Devich
LIKELY COBRAS TEAM
Hashim Amla, Stiaan van Zyl, Omphile Ramela, Justin Ontong (capt), Dane Vilas (wk), Robin Peterson, Justin Kemp, Vernon Philander, Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt, Aviwe Mgijima.
Start:4:30pm, TV: SS2, SSHD - Cape Times