Following their promotion back to South Africa’s top division, the ITEC Knights are ready for the upcoming CSA T20 Challenge. Their first test of the season comes in the form of the Northwest Dragons this weekend.
Knights captain, Dane Piedt, told Bloemfontein Courant that his team is ready and excited for the season. “I think the key for us is to stay together as a team and play to our strengths,” he said. “The benefit for us coming from Division 2 is that we are not known to the other teams, so we can use that to our advantage.”
According to Piedt, the team has been in conversation about their style of cricket, and have had a productive preseason. “The trainer has made sure that we are in great shape physically,” Piedt explained. “To tackle the season, we’ve played many matches leading up to this point, so we are more than ready to take it on.”
With an influx of experienced recruits, and a solid core group, the Knights look to be in a great space leading up to Saturday’s match. “I think we have great balance,” explained Piedt. “With the likes of Aaron Phangiso, as well as Malusi Siboto, and having the core group of Aubrey [Swanepoel], Pat(rick) [Botha], Gihahn [Cloete] and Jacques [Snyman] in the squad really does add great flavour with the youth that we have.”
Piedt hopes that his team can continue to build on what they achieved last season, and stick to what has been working for them. “There’s no need to change much, we know what we’re good at and what we want to achieve in the end. That’s the most important aspect for us,” he said.
The target for the Knights is to compete in every competition this season, and Piedt believes that his team’s “positivity” can overcome the external pressure they are facing. “I think there’s a lot of pressure coming from outside, saying we need to survive and not get relegated,” he explained, “but we are most certainly not thinking that way, we want to go out there and compete.”
Piedt concluded by thanking the Knights supporters who stuck with the team throughout their season in the lower division, but promises to excite fans now that the team is back where they belong.
“We want to tell you guys that we are going out there this season to entertain as much as possible, so it’s exciting times ahead for all!” he stated.
The match will be played at the Mangaung Oval from 14:00.
Warren Hawkins
