Warriors hoping to end losing streak in East London

THE Warriors will be hoping a change of setting can help them put an end to their dreadful start to the Sunfoil Series as they prepare to host the VKB Knights at Buffalo Park this week. The Warriors have lost three of their four games so far this season – the other was washed out without a ball bowled – to sit at the bottom of the log. It has been a tough first full season in charge for coach Malibongwe Maketa. “It has been quite disappointing, especially because we keep making the same mistakes every week,” he said. “We need to learn from the last three performances and show improvement this week.” Maketa said a few new faces might do the trick for the Warriors, who have been especially poor with the bat. Only three batsmen have scored more than 100 runs and one – top-scorer Colin Ackermann (244) – more than 200. “We’ll look to freshen up the team this week,” Maketa, whose side lost by 148 runs to the Cape Cobras last week, said. “We’ve got Michael Price coming in and hopefully that will bolster us.” Rookie spinner Akona Kula is also in contention and will play if the conditions require a second slow-bowling option. Shadley van Schalkwyk is back from injury and Quinton Friend from suspension to bolster the Knights’ bowling after their 45-run loss to the bizhub Highveld Lions last week. “They will boost our bowling attack big time,” stand-in coach Allan Donald said. “Quinton has been a stalwart for a long time, so it’s good to have him back.”

Expected to miss out are Jandre Coetzee and Mbulelo Budaza. Despite the Warriors’ struggles, Donald is expecting a tough contest. “We are aware that a struggling side have the ability to play a more relaxed game. And they will probably play better this week, so we’ll have to be prepared,” he said. Meanwhile, The Sunfoil Series table could be set for a shake-up this week when the Lions and The Unlimited Titans clash in a top-of-the table Jukskei Derby at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom. Both rivals have a similar record at this stage of the season, winning three out of four matches, although the hosts are yet to be beaten. Home coach Geoffrey Toyana said: “Any game against our neighbours is big and this will be no different. “We’ve prepared quite well and are coming off quite a good win in Kimberley. So I’m very, very happy with where we are. “I still know we need to make some improvements in terms of our batting, but we’re looking forward to this week.” The Lions, victors over the VKB Knights by 45 runs in their last game, will have their resources tested once more this week after the Proteas again drew on their stocks by calling up captain and opener Stephen Cook. Last week, they lost fast bowler Hardus Viljoen, and are also without Kagiso Rabada and Temba Bavuma. “It’s part of our job,” Toyana added. “Even though it’s tough, it’s really good to keep producing Proteas players.” Good news, though, is that Alviro Petersen is back after injury and comes into the squad along with Devon Conway. The Titans, who most recently claimed a memorable final-day four-wicket win over the Sunfoil Dolphins, are expected to be unchanged.