Cape Cobras captain Justin Ontong does not want to believe Newlands has developed into a “hoodoo” ground for his team ahead of this week’s One-Day Cup final.
The Cobras have lost two successive matches at their Cape Town home ground with both the Titans and Dolphins enjoying sweet success in the Mother City. Those two teams contest a playoff in Durban today to see who will be back here on Friday for the showpiece event.
“I don’t think Newlands has suddenly become a ‘hoodoo’ ground for us. We enjoy playing at Newlands, and we enjoy playing for the people of Cape Town who always come out in their thousands to support us, especially for a final,” Ontong told the Cape Times yesterday.
“Both of those teams will take a lot of confidence from the fact that they have won here already this season. I think that could lift them, whichever team manages to get through to the final. But a Newlands final is different and we will be up for the challenge.”
Newlands has traditionally been a slow surface, but with the Western Province Amateur team also playing regularly at the grand old ground, it has not allowed head curator Evan Flint and his groundstaff sufficient preparation time on the pitch ahead of the franchise matches.
“We’re not blaming the conditions for our lack of form. Both teams have to play on the same wicket. I think we were in a position to win both games, especially last Friday against the Dolphins. We saw when we put partnerships together how close we eventually came,” Ontong explained.
The skipper has missed the majority of the second half of the 1-Day Cup campaign due to his SA A commitments. Upon his return last Friday, he was run out for a duck exacerbating a miserable night for the skipper.
He is not overly concerned with the skill levels of the Cobras, though, but more the ability to function as a unit, and this is what he and coach Paul Adams will emphasise during the build-up this week.
“I watched the games closely even though I was with the SA A side. For me, it is not about improving our skills this week. We have played a lot of cricket and at this stage of the season I think it is more about improving the mental aspect our games,” he said.
“I don’t think we’re playing the big moments very well at the moment. And that is the key for a big game like a final. You have to be ready for the big moments. So, it is more the mental part of the game we will be working on this week. We need to gel as a team again, and we will be placing a lot of focus on togetherness to get us all moving in the same direction again.”
Ontong also has to keep one eye on the injured players in his squad. The tournament’s leading run-scorer Andrew Puttick is feeling the strain of a long season, while veteran all-rounder Justin Kemp is also struggling with an ankle injury.
The loss of both players – especially the in-form Puttick – would be a great blow to the Cobras’ chances, but Ontong is confident the backroom staff, led by former Proteas physiotherapist Shane Jabaar, will do their utmost to get both key players on the park on Friday evening.
“Putters and Kempy are struggling with niggles, but Shane will have them on the treatment table all week. He has done wonders in the past and I have the greatest confidence he will be able to get them playing again. Kempy showed he can bat, although bowling could prove to be a little tougher.” - Cape Times