The Northern Cape Heat take on South Western Districts at the Diamond Oval in a crunch CSA 4-Day Domestic Series game starting on Friday.
THE NORTHERN Cape Heat cricket team take on South Western Districts (SWD) at the Diamond Oval in a crunch game starting on Friday that, if they are not careful, could potentially see either side slide from their current log positions.
The hosts are sitting at the top and SWD in third spot of the CSA 4-Day Domestic Series’ Division 2 league.
Northern Cape Cricket services manager Shaheed Alexander told the DFA that this was an important match for the provincial side. “We both sit at the top (end) of the log and this match could determine who goes where. We are currently ranked top and they are a close third,” Alexander said.
Northern Cape Heat – back at it. pic.twitter.com/WvJxMQIQov
— Northern Cape Cricket (@ncapecricket) January 5, 2022
The NC Heat team have had an impressive run in the competition thus far. Of the four matches played, they have won three games outright and drawn one. This has seen the team being rewarded with 88.66 points which is a whopping 16 points clear of this weekend’s opponents, third-placed South Western Districts.
Mark Charlon, NC Heat coach, said he has made only one change to their line-up for Friday’s game. From a look at the change it is apparent NC Heat intends to blow away their opponents via ‘fast delivery services’.
“Johan van Wyk, a fast bowler, comes on for Benjamin van Rensburg who is being rested. Also I think the pitch conditions will suit his style of play,” said the coach.
NC Heat has an admirable away record in the series. Their last outing was against the Eastern Cape Inyathi in late January this year where the Northern Cape team beat their hosts by an innings and 271 runs.
Charlton said he was hoping to end the season still at the top.
“I hope that we carry on our form and give a good account as we did against Inyathi. Hopefully when that happens we can make good progress and get promoted to the first division in the next season,” he said.
The game starting on Friday at the Kimberley’s Diamond Oval will be the team’s fifth outing. They will thereafter have two more games to play. Their next appointment in the series will be against the Mpumalanga Rhinos in Kimberley from March 3-7.
All Covid-19 protocols will be observed at the Diamond Oval.
Spectators will be allowed into the stadium on condition that they bring along a valid vaccination card. There’s no charge.
