Believe it or not, Jacques Kallis has played just one single game for the Cape Cobras – against the Dolphins five years ago. Due to international commitments and a two-year spell at the Warriors, the last time the Newlands faithful saw the great all-rounder in domestic action was back in 2006-07.
But Kallis is back for the Cobras tomorrow evening for the crucial last round-robin 1-Day Cup clash against the Dolphins. A Cobras victory will secure first place on the log, and with it the opportunity to host the final on December 9.
Kallis will have the help of his Proteas teammates, including pace spearhead Dale Steyn, Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher.
The latter duo played in the Cobras’ resounding five-wicket victory over the second-placed Warriors last Friday. Exciting opening batsman Richard Levi has also served his one-game suspension and will be in the frame for selection.
With the Cobras’ impressive form in the 1-Day Cup – they have lost only once – it seems at the moment that coach Richard Pybus’s most difficult task is deciding who actually should take the field in his first XI.
Opener Andrew Puttick has scored 278 runs in the competition, but will most likely lose his place, while Levi has scored 305 runs. Overseas professional Owais Shah has found some form lately after a subdued start, while Justin Ontong is scoring runs (327 at 65.40) with immense ease and beauty at the moment. That is not even taking into account JP Duminy’s 217 at 72.33.
Herschelle Gibbs should be fit after a hand injury that has seen him miss the majority of the competition, but it is unlikely that Pybus would risk him.
While some might argue that Justin Kemp may be vulnerable with Kallis’s all-round abilities available, the skipper’s bowling during the middle of the opponents’ innings is vital to the Cobras’ cause. Although he seldom bowls in the powerplays, his economy rate of just 5.0 is still impressive.
“It is a lovely challenge (of having all these selection possibilities),” Pybus told the Cape Times on Monday.
“What a pleasure to have all these players available. It is fantastic for South African cricket that the Proteas are playing domestic cricket. It is even more fantastic that they want to play and be a part of this.”
The Cobras’ biggest challenge tomorrow evening may be to avoid complacency against a Dolphins side that have already been eliminated from the competition.
The visitors do have a couple of talented individuals, like Hashim Amla, Dave Miller, Loots Bosman and Imran Tahir, but collectively should not have sufficient firepower to live with the Cobras over the course of the 100 overs.
At the moment, the Cobras are top of the table, but a defeat to Imraan Khan’s side, coupled with a Warriors win over the Titans, would see the Eastern Cape franchise finish first.
The third-placed Knights can still grab the No 1 spot with a bonus-point win over the Lions, if the two sides ahead of them lose.
But it is self-motivation and desire that the Cobras require. Victory over the Dolphins is simply non-negotiable, especially in terms of the financial rewards of a home final for the host union.
The Cobras missed out on a lucrative payday – a figure of close to $300 000 – when they failed to qualify for the Champions League Twenty20 semi-finals earlier this year and can regain some of the lost income with a victory tomorrow.
With the quality of talent available to the Cobras, it should be well within Kemp and Co’s reach. - Cape Times
LIKELY COBRAS SQUAD:
Richard Levi, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Owais Shah, JP Duminy, Justin Ontong, Mark Boucher (w/k), Justin Kemp (capt), Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Charl Langeveldt, Rory Kleinveldt, Dane Piedt.