The VKB Knights coach Alan Kruger is hoping his team can get their campaign up and running with a first in the Momentum One-Day Cup on Saturday, writes ANDRE HUISAMEN.

Without victory in their first four matches, the Knights will face the Cape Cobras in Kimberley as the competition reaches the halfway mark.

And, Kruger admits that the franchise have again made it difficult for themselves after only culminating two points from the competition so far.

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‘The Knights do have a history of being slow starters. We seem to be doing that far too often and then trying to come from the back when it is a little bit too late. So hopefully we can start now,’ Kruger said.

The Bloemfontein outfit lost their opening three matches, against the Warriors and twice to the Dolphins, before their second encounter with the Warriors earlier this week was called off in East London due to heavy rain.

But, Kruger is optimistic the Knights can turn the tide and start picking up points to push for a possible semi-final spot.

‘It certainly isn’t panic stations as yet. We’ve only played four matches so far and a lot can happen still considering the number of points that are still on offer.

‘I know it’s been difficult because you can’t really compete if you only make a score of 150. That is just not good enough. The batsmen know that, and they have been doing some soul searching amongst themselves.

“I also feel that each individual has to look within, they have to be open with each other and think collectively rather than individually. We are one team at the end of the day and we have got into the situation as a team,’ said Kruger.

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The Knights face the Cobras, who are second-bottom on the log before traveling to Johannesburg next week Wednesday to face the Imperial Lions, who are in second spot.

Kruger, though, wants his team to stick together during this difficult time and believes they will need to fight as whole in order to get more positive results.

“The only way we’re going to get out of it is as a team. So that’s been the message and hopefully we can do the business in the next game.”

“But we just need to knuckle down, have more self-belief and play the way we know we can. I think if we can do that, the tables will turn for us.”