Paarl is ready to rock on Sunday when the Mzansi Super League kicks off at Boland Park.
The local team, Paarl Rocks, will host Tshwane Spartans at 3.30 pm.
And with the team’s captain Faf du Plessis still leading the national team Down Under in the final T20I against Australia on the same day, former Cape Cobras player Henry Davids will skipper the Boland team in their first ever game.
Davids will captain the team in their two opening games.
Du Plessis, though, will be back for the highly-anticipated local derby against Cape Town Blitz next weekend.
Of the appointment of Davids as captain, coach Adrian Birrell says: “Henry is an experienced captain and knows the local players very well.
“Davids is a key batsman for the Paarl Rocks and his knowledge of the local conditions could prove to be invaluable.”
In the shortest form of the game, Davids has played 157 matches, scoring 3 251 runs at a strike rate of 123.51 and also picked up 20 wickets with an economy rate of 7.67.
Paarl Rocks CEO James Fortuin said all systems are ready to go for the opening game against AB de Villiers’ Tshwane Spartans.
Fortuin explains: “The players have arrived; the stadium is ready; and everything is in place to provide our fans with a fantastic experience on Sunday.”
STEPPING UP: Tabraiz Shamsi. Photo: RYAN WILKISKY/BACKPAGEPIX
One player that will also look to rock is Proteas spin bowler Tabraiz Shamsi.
Of the opening game, Shamsi says: “I always enjoy bowling in Paarl, it does offer assistance to spin bowlers and the boundaries are quite big in comparison to other grounds in the country which is also a help.
“I think that in the home games, the pitch will be suitable for my type of bowling, but with that said, you still have to do the job on the day.
“I won’t take anything for granted and I am looking forward to playing in front of passionate support in Paarl. It is going to be exciting.”