Easterns aim high in Provincial T20 Cup
The broader squad and management returned last week from a team-building trip to Sun City and are raring to go.
Easterns are determined to go one step beyond when the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Provincial T20 Cup (formerly Africa Cup) gets underway on Friday.
The pool stages for the fifth edition of the event, which signals the official start of the season, will be played in Benoni (Pool A), Kimberley (Pool B) and Potchefstroom (Pool C) this weekend.
Easterns, who were knocked out by Border in the semi-finals last season, have been drawn in what is described as ‘the group of death’, which also features defending champions Central Gauteng Lions, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal and Northerns.
“Yes, it is a tough group, but to be fair, what a great way to start your campaign – getting straight into the big dogs. If we want to win the T20 Championship, we have to beat the best,” commented skipper Grant Thomson.
The Benoni-based side are keen to build on the confidence and momentum garnered from last season’s dramatic One Day Cup triumph over Northerns.
“We learnt to win the tight games and the boys came through under pressure,” added Thomson.
“The semi-final (T20 Cup) last year was a big occasion, but I think we have gained more know-how and experience and I’m convinced we will handle it better if faced with the same situation this weekend,” he added.
The Easterns selectors named a balanced 14-man squad, including new acquisitions Khwezi Gumede (KZN Coastal) and Yaseen Vali (Gauteng) for the condensed tournament.
“We have worked hard over the last couple of years to acquire guys who are going to make a massive impact in our squad. I’m happy where the boys are at and look forward to seeing what they can bring. It’s a last chance to put a hand up and say ‘I can play at the next level’.”
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Thomson believes firmly in the notion that ‘winning becomes a habit’.
“Self-belief is something we may have lacked. We have always had very talented players who may not quite have reached their full potential, but winning that One Day Cup was massive for the players’ psyche. Once you get the first one out of the way, they tend to just keep coming.”
Easterns squad: Grant Thomson (captain), Matthew Arnold (vice-captain), Sizwe Masondo, Wesley Marshall, Sabelo Sekhuku, Jurie Snyman, Yaseen Vali, Armand Erasmus, Imraan Manack, Ryan Cartwright, Aron Visser, Neo Felane, Khwezi Gumede, Dyllan Matthews. Head coach: Richard das Neves. Assistant coaches: Tumelo Bodibe and Ephraim Nyawo. Trainer: Zane Webster. Physio: Denise Polson.
Willowmoore Park Fixtures (Pool A): September 13, 9.30am – Northerns vs Free State, KZN Coastal v Central Gauteng. 1.30pm – Central Gauteng vs Northerns, Easterns vs Free State. September 14, 9.30am – Easterns vs Central Gauteng, KZN Coastal vs Northerns. 1.30 pm – Easterns vs KZN Coastal, Central Gauteng vs Free State. September 15, 9.30am – Free State vs KZN Coastal. 1pm – Easterns vs Northerns.
