With all the uncertainty surrounding the Cape Cobras coach and players at the moment, the one certainty for next week’s opening four-day series match is that Justin Ontong will not take the field against the Highveld Lions at the Wanderers.
Ontong, the Cobras limited-overs captain and firm supporter of embattled coach Paul Adams, split the webbing on his left hand between the index and middle fingers last week while playing for Boland during the Africa T20 Cup.
Although his experience is invaluable, especially in the first-class arena, having previously led the Cobras to successive four-day titles, his unavailability could be a blessing in disguise for new selection convener Alan Dawson.
The former Proteas swing bowler is currently watching the Cobras pre-season matches in Brackenfell and will be monitoring some young batsmen, especially as Test batsman Stiaan van Zyl is also struggling with a knee injury.
The latter’s ailment should not keep him out of the Lions clash, though, with the stylish left-hander possibly taking a rest from any bowling as a precautionary measure.
Due to all these factors, the door could be wide open for the Cobras to blood Jason Smith and Zubayr Hamza (both 21) alongside 24-year-old Simon Khomari in the middle-order at the Bullring.
Khomari opened the batting for the Cobras last season, but found the going tough at the top and after working with Shukri Conrad at the CSA High Performance Centre, it is believed he could be more effective lower down.
Smith, who was also at the National Academy with Khomari, is a promising batsman who has impressed for the Cobras in the limited-overs formats, and is making a real play to be a regular franchise cricketer. That he is a useful medium-pace bowler raises his stocks and he should expect to deliver his fair share of overs, especially with Van Zyl not being able to bowl at this stage.
Hamza has yet to make a Cobras first-class debut and is eagerly awaiting his first run out. Taking into account his statistics one tier down for the Western Province semi-pro side, where he has accumulated 1 535 runs in just 20 matches at an average of 56.85, a debut at the Wanderers would be considered overdue.
The longest format is certainly his favourite, as it's where his patience and good shot selection can be best displayed. There is also that insatiable appetite for scoring big runs...
All this young talent coming through is a silver lining following reports that senior Cobras players, in association with the South African Cricketers Association, are headed for the CCMA after lodging a formal grievance against Adams.
Cape Times