Rory Kleinveldt will rely on ‘gut instinct’ and a strong Cobras squad to get through the Momentum One-Day Cup semi-final against the Dolphins on Wednesday.
Kleinveldt takes over the captaincy from JP Duminy, who led the Cobras to a home semi-final before being called up by the Proteas for the ODI series against India.
He will have the backing of Vernon Philander, morally if not physically, for there is concern over his fitness.
‘I will trust my gut and instinct when I am on the field,’ said Kleinveldt. ‘When I was at Northampton leading the team, David Ripley told me not to listen to his advice, but to back my own instincts.
‘But I will be leaning on my coach [Ashwell Prince] and people like Dane Piedt.’
The Cobras have not beaten the Dolphins in white-ball cricket this term, losing both previous encounters in the league phase.
Prince believes that only good cricket will get his side through, he says: ‘The Dolphins are a good team with some really experienced players in their line-up, so we’ve just got to make sure we pick some holes in their line-up. We need to find those weaknesses and make sure we expose them.’
The Dolphins, too, are without their skipper Khaya Zondo, who joined Duminy in the ODI squad, and will be replaced by Keshav Maharaj.
Dolphins coach Grant Morgan does not feel their recent dominance over the Cobras will make any difference come Wednesday.
‘Yes, we have had it over them in games this season, but they were all tight contests,’ he said. ‘But those are in the past now and it’s down to an one-off affair. We know what they will bring.’
Cobras squad: Rory Kleinveldt (capt), Dayyaan Galiem, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Khomari, George Linde, Pieter Malan, Aviwe Mgijima, Tshepo Moreki, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Dane Piedt, Dane Paterson, Vernon Philander, Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne.
Dolphins squad: Kehsav Maharaj (capt), Sarel Erwee, Senuran Muthusamy, Sibonelo Makhanya, Calvin Savage, Robert Frylinck, Athi Maposa, Zack Paruk, Prenelan Subrayen, Morne van Wyk, Dane Vilas, Smangaliso Nhlebela, Mthokozisi Shezi, Vaughn van Jaarsveld.
Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
