GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Garden Route Badgers have confirmed their playing 11 that will take on the Northern Cape Heat tomorrow, in what is a must-win encounter for the men from Oudtshoorn.
The clash will be both sides' first of the year, and will hopefully mark a turning point for the Badgers.
Heading into the second half of the season, they find themselves fourth on the log in the CSA Division 2 Four-day Competition.
They've only won one of their first three matches, having drawn one and lost one too. They'll be disappointed that they couldn't come home with the goods from their game against Limpopo Impalas at the end of December, but will also be hoping to turn things around in the new year.
Every point is vital now for the Garden Route boys, and if they are to maintain their hopes of winning the competition and qualifying for Division 1 next season, they must win this weekend.
Blayde Capell will be hoping for more vital runs this weekend.
The Badgers will however be without their frontline bowler in left-arm spinner Thomas Kaber, who's carrying out SA20 duties with the MI Cape Town franchise.
They'll still be able to rely on the likes of skipper Jean du Plessis and Blayde Capell though, two of the top run-scorers in the competition so far.
In-form Jhedli van Briesies will be hoping to see a replication of his second innings against the Impalas when he walks out to the middle this weekend, bolstering the Badgers' middle order.
With ball in hand they will enjoy the continued return of Pheko Moletsane from injury, while they have also roped in left-arm seamer Jarred Jardine as well as experienced Badgers bowler Herschel America who returns from injury.
Khwezi Gumede, who bagged five in the match against Impalas has retained his place in the side and will form a key part of the Badgers' bowling line-up this weekend.
The match will be played at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn, starting on Saturday 13 January, until Tuesday 16 January.
The Badgers team for the weekend is:
1. Blayde Capell
2. Keenan Vieira
3. Matthew Christensen
4. Jean du Plessis (Captain)
5. Kelly Smuts
6. Jhedli van Briesies
7. Pheko Moletsane
8. Marcello Piedt
9. Jarred Jardine
10. Herschel America
11. Khwezi Gumede
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
