The Knights and Cobras will get their One Day Cup campaign under way in Kimberley on Saturday.

These sides experienced contrasting fortunes in the previous campaign. The Cobras topped the table and earned a home final. However, the showpiece match was washed out, meaning the Cobras had to settle for a share of the spoils for a second consecutive year. They are currently the powerhouse of the domestic cricket scene and will be satisfied with nothing less than another trophy at the end of the campaign.

The Knights weren’t involved in any of the knockout fixtures last season. They have also had to say goodbye to Dean Elgar and Ryan McLaren after the two senior players decided to move to other franchises. They will have to put their faith in talented youngsters, which has served them well at the start of the four-day competition.

Players to watch:

On a flat wicket in Kimberly, Rilee Rossouw will want to prove that he possesses international quality. If he gets in, even the star studded Cobras attack won’t be able to contain the exciting left-handed batsman.

Richard Levi showed a new found maturity during the Cobras participation in the recently concluded Champions League T20. If he bats deep into the innings then the odds are that the Cobras will leave Kimberly with the points.

Prediction:

The Cobras have already experienced the pressure associated with limited overs cricket this season during the CLT20 in India. They also boast a team packed with international experience and should once again be the favourites to lift the trophy at the end of the season. The men from the Cape should win at a canter and get their title defence off to the perfect start.

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