Brief overview
- The Warriors effectively finished third in the 4-Day Domestic Series and in the same position in the One-Day Cup. They lost head coach Rivash Gobind at the start of the season, which might have been a blessing in disguise as former Proteas spinner Robin Peterson took over. The franchise also reinspired Jon-Jon Smuts’ waning international career and must wonder when Ed Moore’s chance at international level is going to come.
Key batsmen
- Moore was certainly the standout in the 4-Day Domestic Series. He averaged over 50 and finished second only in the series’ run-scoring ranks to the Knights’ Raynard van Tonder. Moore was also the Warriors’ top run-scorer in the One-Day Cup and took a particular liking to the Titans’ bowlers with successive centuries against the Sky Blues. Lesiba Ngoepe, Matthew Breetzke and Yaseen Vallie were good in support.
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Ed Moore
Key bowlers
- Andrew Birch, Sisanda Magala, Lutho Sipamla and Glenton Stuurman were the Warriors’ top four seamers this season, while spinner key Smuts played a key role with the ball, too. The seam attack will have to rebuild of sorts, though, after Birch retired and Magala and Sipamla left for the Lions.
Impact of feeder system
- Border didn’t win a single match and finished stone last in pool B of the CSA 3-Day Provincial Cup. The fine form of batsman Jason Niemand in this first-class competition and the One-Day Challenge isn’t to be glossed over.
Departures
- Sipamla and Magala’s exits have been joined by Onke Nyaku’s departure for the Cape Cobras. And then there’s Birch’s retirement, of course.
Arrivals
- Marco Jansen will arrive from the Knights, softening the loss of Sipamla and Magala. Spinner Tshepo Ntuli is also coming over from the Knights. The Warriors have landed Wihan Lubbe from the Lions and Mthiwekhaya Nabe from the Cape Cobras as well.
Photo: Gallo Images
