Du Plessis and Badgers ready for the Storm

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Three weeks after their triumphant start to the 2023/24 CSA Four-day Series Division 2 season, Plettonian Jean du Plessis and his Garden Route Badgers troops are ready for their imminent fixture against Eastern Storm.

The Badgers will welcome Eastern Storm to the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn this week for their match from 23 to 26 November.

Du Plessis must lead his side to victory in the four-day competition to maintain their aspirations of promotion to Division 1 at the end of the season.

They currently stand on 26 bonus points after bashing Eastern Cape Iinyathi, but they still have to hunt down the log leaders, ITEC Knights, who also had a solid start to the season with 64,60 points after two victories.

The home side will be looking to draw on the fine batting form that captain Du Plessis, Kelly Smuts and Blayde Capell have shown of late, while spin bowler Thomas Kaber will also play a key role in their quest for victory.

The Badgers will be without Ruan Terblanche, who underwent ankle surgery and will in all likelihood miss the rest of the season, while Khwezi Gumede is also recovering from an ankle injury.

Pheko MoletsaneThe promising Liyabona Malife, who enjoyed a good first-class debut against the Iinyathi, is unavailable for selection, but Pheko Moletsane will replace him, making a return to the team after recovering from a knee operation.