Johannesburg – The Cape Cobras were the outstanding team on the domestic circuit in the 2013/2014 season, topping the log in the prestigious four-day series, and appearing in all three trophy finals over the past 12 months.
In February, the Cobras finished top of the T20 competition log to advance to a home final against the Dolphins. The hosts were heavy favourites for the clash at Newlands, however, the Durban side led by captain Morne van Wyk had other ideas.
Van Wyk opened the batting and set a solid foundation scoring 47 runs.
Jacques Kallis for the Cobras was the key menace with the ball, taking 4/26 and preventing the Dolphins from setting a commanding total as they made 146 for eight in their 20 overs.
The Dolphins then produced a sterling display of bowling to limit the Cobras to 144 for seven, for a narrow two run win. Kyle Abbott was at his best going for just 17 runs from his four overs and picking up two wickets.
Dolphins batsman David Miller piled on the runs during the competition ending with 383 to top the charts, at an average of 47.87.
Cobras bowler Beuran Hendricks was the leading wicket-taker with 28 scalps at an average of 10.28 for the competition.
Both finalists gained automatic entry into the lucrative Champions League T20 held in India in September, though neither side made it beyond the group stages.
Back to the longer format, the Cobras were crowned champions of the four-day series in April. Winning their final game of the competition against the Lions, by an innings and 165 runs, they secured the title.
Cobras batsman Stiaan van Zyl ended the season as the top run-scorer with 933 runs, including three tons and four half-centuries.
Spin bowler Dane Piedt, also of the Cobras, was the leading wicket-taker with 45 wickets at an average of 19.93.
The domestic one-day competition, played over the 2013/14 season was again dominated by the Cape side and the Cobras earned the right to host the final against the Titans earlier this year.
The weather, however, had the final say as the two days allocated for the 50-over match were ruined by persistent rain. In the end, the two sides were forced to share the title.
At the halfway stage of the 2014/2015 tournament, the Cobras were once again sitting pretty with four wins from six matches, with the competition due to start up again on January 23.
For the second time in a calendar year, the Cobras sailed through to a home final in the T20 franchise tournament. Usually, held at the start of the year, the tournament was moved forward in the season to attract world T20 specialists and to accommodate next year's ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand which starts in mid-February.
With the added spice of a West Indian cricketer at each franchise, the Lions – and Chris Gayle in particular – dominated the first half of the competition.
However, in his absence due to injury, their glory quickly faded and eventual log leaders the Cobras – and the Knights, who beat the Lions in a playoff, met in the final.
This time they were not going to let the title slip in front of the Newlands faithful and the Cobras won by 33 runs. Richard Levi was the highest run scorer with 392 while Kieron Pollard, also with the Cobras, had the highest average at 81.
Knights bowler Shadley van Schalkwyk was the leading wicket-taker with 15, closely followed by a number of other bowlers on 14 though Pollard was the most economical of that group, with an average of 14.57. – Sapa