Border out to make history
Chance to win first-ever limited overs trophy
THE BORDER senior provincial team will be looking to etch their name in the history books when they square off with Free State in their Cricket South Africa One-Day Cup final in Bloemfontein tomorrow.
The East London based-team will be hoping to break their 17year trophy drought when they take on the Rudy Steyn-coached outfit at Chevrolet Park stadium. With total prize money of R200 000 and a floating trophy up for grabs, it’s all to play for as Border go in search for that elusive trophy. And while confident in his team’s ability, Border coach Frank Plaatjes believes beating the competition’s defending champions in their own backyard will be a tough ask. “We’ve prepared well and the boys are ready. We are all excited and we all want to make history and come home with the trophy.
“We are expecting a very tough encounter. Word is they’ve also included a number of franchise players in their team but we are ready irrespective. All that is left for us to do now is to go out there and play the game the best way we know how if we do the basics right, the results will follow,” said Plaatjes.
In his third season at the helm, Plaatjes has reached his first final since taking over the reins from current U19 coach Raymond Booi.
Plaatjes was quick to laud his charges for the outstanding cricket they played this season.
“The nice thing about this situation is that we made plans earlier in the season and to see those plans unfold and come together now is great.
“However, having said that, credit must be given to the boys for the outstanding season they’ve had going on to reach the final. Seeing the boys grow and progress as cricketers and as men is our ultimate goal at Border Cricket and it’s great to see we are achieving that and taking our cricket further.”
Unbeaten at the top of their Coastal Pool, Border racked up four victories against Boland, South Western Districts, KwaZulu Natal Inland and and Eastern Province with two games against Western Province and KwaZulu-Natal abandoned without a ball beingb bowled due to rain.
Free State, on the other hand, cruised to the final after finishing top of the Inland Pool having recorded five wins and a single loss in their six games.
Although defending their title in their own backyard, Free State coach, Steyn, a former Proteas Test batsman, believes Border will be a tough outfit to overcome.
“It’s definitely not going to be an easy task, Border have played beautiful cricket all season long and they have momentum with them. Border also have a couple of experienced players who have played franchise cricket so it’s going to be a very tough encounter but we are prepared.”
Having lost key albeit part-time players like Dean Elgar and Ryan McLaren due to national duty, Steyn remained adamant his charges will prevail against the underdogs.