Humiliated Cobras may have to look overseas

Cape Cobras chief executive André Odendaal gave a clear indication over the weekend that the Western Cape franchise will sign two quality batsmen for next season after Friday's humiliating defeat by eight wickets to the Warriors in less than two days.

"We definitely need to get two experienced batsmen into the squad for next season," said Odendaal.

It was the worst defeat that any Newlands-based team has suffered since Western Province were relegated to the B Section back in the mid-1960s.

And it does not require a crystal ball either to work out what has gone wrong with the team that won the limited-overs MTN Domestic Championship in the first half of the season. For that competition, they could call on the experience of Ashwell Prince, Adam Bacher and Alan Dawson for all their matches as well as Herschelle Gibbs for the critical early rounds when the winning run was started.

Prince, in particular, has been a grievous loss for his experience, leadership and ability to get the best out of the younger players.

Much the same thing happened last season when the leading batsmen, such as Andrew Puttick and JP Duminy, were not able to compete at the same level once senior players were absent.

Odendaal indicated that the search for some experienced batting quality would include looking overseas. There are expected to be quite a lot of high-profile retirements after the World Cup which could put some high-class talent into the available field.

At the same time, the incumbent Cobras need to take a hard look at themselves and particularly the value they are putting on their wickets. Defending your wicket as though your contract depends on it should come as second nature, and this applies as much to No 1 in the batting order as it does to No 11.

It would come as no surprise if one or two individuals pay the price for it and coach Shukri Conrad tries out a few youthful alternative options in the remaining matches. There is nothing to be lost, and the Cobras can't do any worse than their collapse on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Titans have virtually clinched the SuperSport Series crown following their seven-wicket victory over the Lions, their closest challengers, at Potchefstroom on Saturday. Their nearest rivals are now the Eagles, who completed an innings victory over the Dolphins at Kingsmead yesterday. Johannes van der Wath took 6/24 in 19 overs.

The Eagles are 20 points behind the Titans, but the two sides face each other in the final round in Bloemfontein next month which could amount to a final.

A clearer picture will emerge after the Eagles have played the Lions at the Wanderers this week.

Life will not get any easier for the Cobras as they travel to Willowmoore Park to play the Titans.