The SWD cricket team’s aspirations to win their first trophy are reaching a crucial stage when they will travel to Pretoria this weekend to face Northerns. SWD, who are the current log leaders on the CSA Provincial Three Day Challenge after five out of six outright victories are full of confidence as they will be up against a team that recently defeated Gauteng in the competition and also won the Twenty20 competition the past weekend.
The SWD selectors opened the door for one of the prodigals of SWD cricket, Rhupino Plaatjies. Plaatjies, the brother of Cobra fast bowler, Francois, played for SWD in the Associate’s competition in 2004/05. His ability to bowl with hostile speed made a huge impression and will earn his first selection in a SWD first class squad. The selectors moved Waldo Lategan to the opening spot whilst Kobus Scholtz, Brendon Louw (from the Warriors) and Lyndon Volkwyn returned to the team that beat Boland three weeks ago. A groin injury enforced Phaphama Fojela to withdraw from the team.
Christo van Schalkwyk was called up for the one day team whilst Justin Jordaan, the 20-year old left arm orthodox spinner, will make a welcome return to the one day squad after an impressive performance in the last T20 match. The one day series will now kick-off after completion of the T20 version. Northerns will build their game plan around their experience opening attack of Eddie Mbhalati and CJ de Villiers.
The SWD squad for the weekend is: Ross McMillan (capt), Waldo Lategan, Burton de Wett, Christiaan Jonker, Brendon Louw, Pieter Stuurman, Kobus Scholtz, Rhupino Plaatjies, Douglas Baartman, Gurshwin Rabie, Lyndon Volkwyn, Justin Jordaan and Christo van Schalkwyk.
