Ashwell Prince tips Junaid Dawood for Cobras selection

Junaid Dawood Justin Dill Carlos KoyanaFile image: Junaid Dawood (left).

University of the Western Cape Cricket Club and Western Province leg-spinner Junaid Dawood will likely debut for the Cape Cobras, come early March’s key Sunfoil Series fixture against the Dolphins at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg.

Dawood has clinched 31 wickets in 11 matches since October 2016’s debut maiden first-class outing for Eastern Province against Gauteng – and last month’s telling second-innings haul of four for 33 for his new team against the same opposition also epitomised his talent.

He, too, recently played a central role in Western Province’s comfortable victory over a WP Club XI at the Vineyard Oval in Claremont, Cape Town.

“The 21-year-old leg-spinner Dawood is considered seriously for the role of second spinner and match-winner,” said Cobras coach Ashwell Prince.

“Leg-spinners have the ability to take wickets, even when they bowl full tosses that dip on a batsman.”

Dawood appreciated the insight gained from a recent practice session with former Proteas spinner Robin Peterson, who also had Durbanville Cricket Club’s George Linde and Victoria Cricket Club’s Dane Piedt in attendance.

“Robin spoke to me about the mental part of the game and I was chuffed to have him there. One of those mental tips was to be unafraid of being boring and being consistent; doing the right things repetitively.”