Cape Cobras wicket-keeper batsman Kyle Verreynne has some pent-up frustrations to get out when the T20 Challenge launches today.
After missing out on his chance to make his Test debut for the Proteas during their recent tour to Pakistan, the Ginger Ninja is jukking to play when the Cobras take on the Knights in the Kingsmead bio-bubble on Saturday at 2.30pm and again on Saturday at the same time against the Warriors.
The Cobras have had an underwhelming cricket season, winning just two matches across the 1Day Cup and Four-Day Series.
But Verreynne says he and coach Ashwell Prince’s manne are desperate to do themselves justice, with batsman Tony de Zorzi set to lead the team.
He says: “I’m really excited to be back with the Cobras, it’s been a while since I’ve actually played a cricket game so I’m just really excited to get going.
“I feel that hunger to perform and do well has gone up a level, because I haven’t played much cricket of late so I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to get out on the park soon.
“As a team we want to win the competition.
“We owe it to ourselves and we owe it to the fans to have a good campaign and win a trophy, so we’re going to push for that and hopefully we can do that for them – I believe we’ve got the boys here to do it.
“From a personal point of view, I want to just put in a couple of match-winning performances.
“As I said, the hunger to perform is as high as ever so I’m just looking to implement that on the park and do that for the team.”
After a tough season, coach Prince wants to make things right, adding: “We’re looking forward to the competition.
“Obviously being a World Cup year, the players will have more eyes on them and this is a wonderful place to show what they are capable of.
“We did reach the 1Day Cup semifinal and did well in most of that game as well, so we are looking to have another good run in this competition.”