Charl Langeveldt is set for one last hurrah with the Cape Cobras after being included in their squad for next month’s T20 Champions League tournament in India.
Langeveldt didn’t feature for the Cape side in the RamSlam T20 competition last season because of injury, and didn’t even get a chance to bowl in his last competitive match in November when the One-Day Cup final between the Cobras and Lions was rained out.
But the 39-year-old former prison warder, one of the most skilful bowlers this country has ever produced and probably one of the best “death” bowlers ever, has got more than enough gas in the tank for one last spell.
He also has a bag full of experience, and will help the young bowlers around him cope with the pressure of an international tournament. It is rumoured that “Langes” could be part of the Cobras back room staff as a bowling coach for the new season, so this could also be the start of his new journey into management.
Langeveldt is part of a powerful Cobras squad, which features 11 players that have played for the Proteas. That number excludes the classy Stiaan van Zyl, who was part of the South African squad for their last two Test tours.
The Cobras will be able to call on the likes of Hashim Amla, who will open the batting with either Van Zyl or Richard Levi, who has scored three half-centuries in a row for his country side Northamptonshire in the 50-over competition in England.
JP Duminy will probably occupy the key position at No 3 to set a platform for big-hitters like captain Justin Ontong, wicket-keeper Dane Vilas and Justin Kemp.
The Cobras are also well off in the spin department, with all-rounder Robin Peterson and Dane Piedt looking to cause some serious damage on the dry subcontinent surfaces in India.
Peterson featured for Surrey during England’s T20 competition over the last few months, while Piedt turned it square in his debut Test against Zimbabwe, taking a record eight wickets.
The Cobras also have the talents of Vernon Philander and Rory Kleinveldt to rely on in the fast-bowling department, although the team will be without the services of left-arm paceman Beuran Hendricks, who is part of the Kings XI Punjab side for the tournament.
Veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis was also not considered, as his Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knightriders will use him in the Champions League.
However, the Cobras will still have more than enough firepower to overcome their group rivals Hobart Hurricanes, the Barbados Tridents and the Kings XI. The Cape side, though, will start their campaign against one of the qualifiers on September 19 in Raipur.
CAPE COBRAS SQUAD
Hashim Amla, Jean-Paul Duminy, Justin Kemp, Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt, Richard Levi, Aviwe Mgijima, Justin Ontong (captain), Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Zakhele Qwabe, Omphile Ramela, Stiaan Van Zyl, Dane Vilas.
CAPE COBRAS FIXTURES
Friday, September 19: Cape Cobras v second qualifier (Raipur)
Sunday, September 21: Cape Cobras v Hobart Hurricanes (Hyderabad)
Friday, September 26: Cape Cobras v Barbados Tridents (Mohali)
Sunday, September 28: Cape Cobras v Kings XI (Mohali) - Cape Times