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Du Plessis ready to take opportunity with both hands


January 2021

Wicket-keeper Batsman Jean du Plessis is ready to take his opportunity with both hands as he is set to take the gloves for the Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras in the Momentum One Day Cup which begins for Ashwell Prince’s men on Friday with a clash against the Imperial Lions.

Du Plessis and Cobras team-mate Jono Bird are both former SA U19 team-mates, (du Plessis took part in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in 2018) and the 22-year-old is primed to get his first taste of franchise cricket alongside Bird, who made his Cobras debut during last year’s campaign. “As a young boy growing up in the Western Cape it has always been my dream to represent the Cape Cobras and play professional cricket so to be selected for the Momentum One Day Cup side, it is truly a dream come true. I am extremely happy to be in the squad and I hope to make the opportunity count.”

A product of SWD Cricket with 23 first-class matches and 21 List A matches to his name, du Plessis impressed during last week’s intra-squad training matches which were both played at Six Gun Grill Newlands, scoring 108 (retired out) in the first match and with the start of the semi-professional cricket season delayed due to COVID-19, preparation and game-time has been key for the young wicket-keeper batsman who is out to make a big impression in the absence of Kyle Verreynne, who is with the Proteas Test squad in Pakistan.

“The preparation for the One Day Cup has been really good. The training matches themselves were important to us as a team to spend time in the middle. Personally, I was pleased with my own form with the bat and got some good time on the legs whilst wicket-keeping, but at this moment in time I am trying not to look too far ahead. The main focus now has to be the One Day Cup. I will be looking to perform to the best of my ability to help the team win.”

Coach Ashwell Prince has been impressed by du Plessis and others who have put their hands up for higher honours. “We had a couple of warm-up matches in which all these young players really impressed. It just shows how much talent there is out there, but of course opportunities are limited in a six-team top-tier structure. I for one am personally massively in favour of the re-structure, as it provides a lot more opportunities,” he stated earlier this week.

All Pool B matches which include the Imperial Lions and Warriors will be played from 10h00 at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom and will be live on SuperSport. The top two teams from the group stage will come up against the Pool A winners Hollywoodbets Dolphins and second-placed VKB Knights for a place in the Momentum One Day Cup final.

Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras Squad: Zubayr Hamza (Captain), Aviwe Mgijima, Benjamin Ward, Christiaan Jonker, Corbin Bosch, Imraan Manack, Janneman Malan, Jason Smith, Jean Du Plessis, Jonathan Bird, Nandre Burger, Onke Nyaku, Pieter Malan, Siyabonga Mahima, Tony De Zorzi, Ziyaad Abrahams