Warriors head coach Rivash Gobind has never been one to dwell on the past and will have instilled that philosophy on his team heading into the start of their season.
The Warriors start their 2018/2019 campaign with the 4-Day Franchise Series and a challenging fixture against the Highveld Lions at St George’s Park on Monday.
The Eastern Cape franchise enjoyed its most successful period in recent times last season, winning a share of the Momentum One-Day Cup and following that up with a secondplace finish.
In fact, two more points would have seen them finish first ahead of eventual winners the Titans.
There is no doubt it was a good season, but Gobind prefers to look ahead, not bask in the glow of past successes.
“My message to the players has been pretty clear – last season is last season,” he said. “We’re now in this season. “You can’t look too much into the past and the players know that. We can’t take anything for granted.
“I think when the players and I are retired, we can look back and think about what they achieved.
“But for now it’s about the present. So we’ll want to do well going forward.”
Gobind is satisfied with the team’s preseason preparations.
“We’re excited and can’t wait to get going.
“Preseason is a lot of hard work, so everyone is excited that the competition starts now.”
The Warriors have drafted in right-arm seamer Sithembile Langa and right-hand SA U19 batsman Sinethemba Queshile in their 14-man squad for the game.
“Our squad has stayed pretty much the same. We’ve added a couple of younger guys to the mix.
“We’re pretty settled in terms of where we are in four-day cricket.
“We’re starting to enjoy it again, so hopefully we get a good start this week coming.”
Promising batsman Matthew Breetzke is not available for selection this week while Kolpak duo Colin Ackermann and Simon Harmer arrive back in Port Elizabeth from English County cricket duty this week.
The Lions finished last season at the bottom of the multi-day format table.
They have a new coach: former first-class cricketer Enoch Nkwe, who took over the reins from Geoffrey Toyana.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “It’s been a very good preseason and all has gone well.
“I’m excited about my first game at franchise level.”
As with the Warriors but for a contrasting reason, the Lions have written off last season.
“We had some time to put all that behind us and tackle some of the things we’re unhappy about,” he said.
“We’ve worked hard with the players mentally as well, and the feeling is that everyone is now looking forward. We’re ready for this next chapter.”
Squads
Warriors: Andrew Birch, Jon-Jon Smuts, Aya Gqamane, Basheer Walters, Anrich Nortje, Gihahn Cloete, Clyde Fortuin, Mohammed Vallie, Sinethemba Queshile, Sithembile Langa, Lutho Sipamla, Eddie Moore, Sisanda Magala, Lesiba Ngoepe
Lions: Temba Bavuma (capt), Rassie van der Dussen (v-capt), Stephen Cook, Dominic Hendricks, Craig Alexander, Aaron Phangiso, Nicky van den Bergh, Bjorn Fortuin, Dwaine Pretorius, Omphile Ramela, Malusi Siboto, Migael Pretorius, Beuran Hendricks