The weather gods have not been too kind to the Buildnat Cape Cobras, although it would be a shameful remark to call the rain an intruder, as it is sorely needed in South Africa to end an alarming drought.
Yet, despite the two stalemates in their last two games due to rain, the Cape Cobras produced one of the finest domestic batting performances in the CSA T20 Challenge competition against the defending champions, the Multiply Titans, on Friday.
The match ended in a draw with the Titans stuck on seven without loss after one over in pursuit of a daunting 116 for a win in 10 overs before thunderstorms forced a premature finish to the pulsating T20-clash.
The Buildnat Cape Cobras blasted 115 for four in ten overs, with the swashbuckling Richard Levi and Rory Kleinveldt the heroic figures.
Kleinveldt needed only eight balls to smash 28 runs, including four fours.
Levi hammered 45 off 27 balls with four fours and three sixes.
“My boundaries were pretty much scored to both sides of the wicket,” Levi said.
He added that with a very reliable opening partner in Wayne Parnell, he is able to execute his game-plan better.
Levi said he has been in good form, underlined by the 144 he scored in the Three-Day Sunfoil Series Cup for Western Province.
“I would like to play more four-day cricket (for the Buildnat Cape Cobras), because it helps to set up the basis for T20-cricket,” he added.
The strong right-handed opener was full of praise for Kleinveldt. “He has shown while playing for Northamptonshire that he is an extremely dangerous player in all formats.”
Levi said Jason Smith is a “massive talent who can represent South Africa. If you can bat, bowl and field like him, you are in high demand.
“Right now he needs a bit of guidance at number three, as it is an extremely tough position in which to bat at domestic T20-level. He needs to be pointed in the right direction, but he can definitely reach the next level. He has got all the attributes.”
Levi says with Kieron Pollard at number four, the Buildnat Cape Cobras have the ability to finish strongly.
It is simply because a cerebral player with good cricket awareness like Pollard can fulfil two roles. He can accelerate when needed or explode into boundary-action with a series of big hits.
Asked about the Cobras’ chances of reaching the play-offs, Levi said it is of vital importance that the Cape champions beat the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in Durban on Sunday 4th December.
“We also need the teams below us to start winning and the teams above us to start losing. We require some favours, while we must finish strongly,” he added.
