A highly motivated SWD Cricket team that will be full of self-confidence will take on Griqualand West at the REC in Oudtshoorn this weekend in the Cricket South Africa Provincial Challenge competition. Ross McMillan and his troops will be desperate to record an outright victory with their sights firmly aimed at a place in the final of the Sunfoil Cup Three Day competition.
Back Row: Otneill Baartman, Gurhwin Rabie, Siyabonga Booi, Douglas Baartman, Ross McMillan (captain), Marcello Piedt, Lonwabo Rodolo, Siya Simetu and Pieter Stuurman Front Row: Brendon Louw, Sammy-Joe Avontuur, Waldo Lategan, Erinn Ewerts, Deon Smith (coach), Neil Hornbuckle and Luthando Mnyanda.
At present North West (109.60 points after 9 matches) is leading Pool A with Northerns in the second position (88.70 points after 8 matches) with SWD in third place at 82.46 points. SWD still has a realistic chance but there will be no room for error.
Hard-hitting Christiaan Jonker from the Chevrolet Warriors had to withdraw with a shoulder injury that will provide a further opportunity for the promising Neil Hornbuckle. With no less than seven players in the team that have more than 50 first class matches under their belt SWD will be determined to knock out a struggling Griqualand West who only recorded one victory in nine matches.
A solid first innings batting performance from their experience batting line-up will be essential to remain in the race. Luthando Mnyanda (59 matches – highest score of 175), Ross McMillan (75 matches – highest score of 204), Waldo Lategan 53 matches – highest score of 138*), Sammy-Joe Avontuur (61 matches; highest score of 123), Pieter Stuurman (75 matches – highest score of 108) and Brendon Louw (54 matches – highest score of 101) will need to lay the foundation for a victory. Gurshwin Rabie (73 matches with a best bowling analysis of 8/60) will lead the SWD bowling attack with Lonwabo Rodolo and Lyndon Volkwyn in support.
The team for the weekend is Ross McMillan, Waldo Latega, Luthando Mnyanda, Sammy-Joe Avontuur, Neil Hornbuckle, Brendon Louw, Pieter Stuurman, Siyabonga Booi, Lonwabo Rodolo, Lyndon Volkwyn and Gurshwin Rabie. Erinn Ewerts, Hanno Kotze, Otneill Baartman, Marcello Piedt and Douglas Baartman will be added for the limited over match.
The Griqualand West squad is: Gihahn Cloete, Letlotlo Sesele, Tumelo Bodibe, Aubrey Swanepoel, Diego Rosier, Gerhardt Abrahams, Warren Bell, Patrick Kruger, Kagisho Mohale, Corbyn Dolley, Jan Frylinck, Alan Kruger, Desmond De Koker and Reece Williams
