The KZN Coastal side will begin its 2019-20 CSA 3-Day Provincial Cup and One Day Cup against South Western Districts this week at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium as they target returning trophies to the KZN cricket trophy cabinet.
Having won the CSA 3-Day Provincial Cup in the 2017-18 season the Coastal side missed out on an opportunity for silverware last season and coach Roger Telemachus is hoping that his side can recreate that winning form.

‘We’ve had long chats about this coming season and we want to go back to that blueprint that won us the competition two seasons ago,’ Telemachus said. ‘We batted incredibly well and hit our targets and bowled teams out. We took 20 wickets in a lot of those games and that was the difference.

‘If we can get back to that we will have a strong season again.’

The Coastal side played well at the recent CSA Provincial T20 Cup and were unlucky to not qualify for the semi-finals. Telemachus knows that his players are looking to build on the cricket that they played during that competition.

‘We played some outstanding cricket and it was great to see the boys playing good, positive cricket.

‘We know that winning three-day cricket can be difficult and you have to be positive and that is how we are going to try and play our cricket this season.

‘There will be times where you have to knuckle down and score at two runs an over but we have guys that can take the game forward if we need to.’

Calvin Savage will lead the Coastal side in their opening game this week and his all-round skill and leadership ability will be important for the side. Along with Savage, Khalipa Cele, Smangaliso Nhlebela and Michael Erlank will be important members of the squad.

SWD will provide the first opponent for Telemachus and his side and the coach is looking forward to another good contest.

‘We will not underestimate them even though we are playing in our own backyard, we will still respect them,’ Telemachus said.

Dolphins academy all-rounder and Westville Boys High old boy Matthew Pollard will make his first-class debut for KZN Coastal after a strong good performances in the KZN youth structures.

‘I’m looking forward to seeing what Pollard will do on Thursday, I know he is a good bowler and also handy with the bat,’ Telemachus said.

‘We are excited to start our season at home this week because I think the wicket will be friendlier than the one in Oudtshoorn.

‘There is a bit of grass on the pitch but we expect it to be a run fest,’ Telemachus said. ‘We will be looking to get our combinations right and cash in where we can.’

Coastal will then face SWD in a 50-overs contest on Sunday, a format that Telemachus wants his team to improve on this season.

‘The season we won the three-day trophy we nearly qualified for the 50-overs playoffs but we have worked hard on improving our white-ball skills.

‘It’s going to be a good contest to start the season,’ the coach added.

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