Durbanville Cricket Club’s Pieter Malan and Cape Town Cricket Club’s Kyle Verreynne have been named in the Cape Cobras’ contracted squad for the 2017-18 season.
Malan was key to Durbanville Cricket Club finishing in second position in the 2016-17 Western Province Cricket Association premier league, while Verreynne helped Cape Town Cricket Club secure third spot. Each enjoyed a superb stretch of form for the Western Province first-class XI this year, too.
“When I was younger, I possibly did not appreciate my contract for what it was and did not value it enough. One thing I learned when I moved to the Cape, was to play the ball as late as possible,” said Malan.
“I also became more selective, and did not express my attacking game in certain areas until later in the innings. But I also did not allow bowlers just to operate without pressure. Whether it was the first ball or the 100th, if it was bowled in a certain area, it had to go to the boundary.
“I think the past three years has been so good for my character. It forced me to work enormously hard to get into the Cape Cobras squad.”
The 19-year-old Verreynne, who boasts a first-class average of 53.15 after 11 matches, has effectively become the Cobras’ first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman – after the veteran Dane Vilas’ move to the Dolphins and the young Keegan Petersen’s departure to the Knights.
Western Province coach Salieg Nackerdien added: “Kyle has come straight out of school and really looked like he belongs at a higher level. There are a lot of other guys who are still finding their feet, but there’s just something different about Kyle.
“As a straight-out wicketkeeper, he is really good, whether it’s standing up or standing back. He works extremely hard on his game, often putting in extra sessions with our wicketkeeping consultant Ezra Pool.”
Former Montrose Cricket Club batsman Qaasim Adams, meanwhile, has returned to the Cobras’ contracted squad after a stint with the Titans.
Cape Town Cricket Club batsman Neo Mlumbi and Western Province Cricket Club left-arm fast bowler Michael Cohen have been awarded semi-professional contracts.
Cape Cobras contracted squad: Qaasim Adams, Dayyaan Galiem, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Khomari, Richard Levi, George Linde, Pieter Malan, Aviwe Mgijima, Tshepo Moreki, Justin Ontong, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Andrew Puttick, Jason Smith, Stiaan van Zyl, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams.
Semi-professional players: Neo Mlumbi, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Mpilo Njoloza, Matthew Kleinveldt, Michael Cohen, Taariq Chiecktey, Junaid Dawood.