Will Parnell partner Levi?

For the first time this season, Cape Cobras coach Paul Adams will have the relative luxury of having to choose between two in-form batsmen for the make-or-break T20 Challenge tie with the Dolphins on Friday.

For the first time this season, Cape Cobras coach Paul Adams will have the relative luxury of having to choose between two in-form batsmen for the make-or-break T20 Challenge tie with the Dolphins at Kingsmead on Friday.

It is a must-win game for both teams if they hope to host next week’s playoff.

Adams will welcome back Richard Levi after the blockbuster opening batsman missed Wednesday’s 12-run defeat to the Warriors in East London due to concussion sustained while fielding against the Highveld Lions.

Forced changes can often lead to positive results, and this is exactly what has transpired since all-rounder Wayne Parnell was promoted to the top of the order for Levi.

Parnell has been a revelation for the Cobras in his new role. The left-hander has clubbed 173 runs (99 and 72 not out) in his last two innings and is clearly relishing the responsibility of leading the defending champions’ hunt for a playoff spot. “If it is not broken, why fix it? I would like to continue opening,” Parnell said on Thursday.

While there is enough reason to agree with Parnell, how will Adams fit Levi in alongside his new batting hero? Although Levi’s regular opening partner Andrew Puttick’s slow strike-rate is often a problem for the Cobras, he is also the wicket-keeper.

Keegan Petersen is the other gloveman in the squad, but the little Bolander has not quite laid down a marker when given an opportunity thus far. He has played in a few T20 Challenge matches and is yet to fulfil his immense potential.

Adams is also unlikely to risk losing the experience of Puttick at this stage of the competition, and could use his veteran opener as a “floater” in the batting line-up if he pairs Levi with Parnell. Puttick would most likely be pencilled in at No 3, but would only come to the crease if the Cobras lose an early wicket.

Should Parnell and Levi get the Cobras off to a flying start that Adams is hoping for, then Puttick drops down the order in similar fashion to the way Omphile Ramela was utilised earlier in the tournament.

There are certainly some interesting scenarios for Adams and his brainstrust to consider ahead of meeting a team that are equally as desperate for results. The Dolphins have fallen into a miserable slump since the departure of England’s Kevin Pietersen midway through the competition.

The South African-born superstar blitzed runs almost at will at the start of the tournament to power the Dolphins to four consecutive victories.

However, the Durban franchise have lost four in a row since his exit and need a victory to ensure all his hard work is not entirely undone.

Coach Lance Klusener made wholesale changes for the last encounter against the Knights in Port Elizabeth, but it didn’t have the desired effect, but he is unlikely to tinker with his squad again.

The Cobras could also make a change to the bowling line-up, with the fit-again Dane Paterson raring to go.

Cape Cobras squad

Justin Ontong (captain), Lizaad Williams, Dane Paterson, Andrew Puttick, Wayne Parnell, Keegan Petersen, Justin Kemp, Lesiba Ngoepe, Richard Levi, Robin Peterson, Siya Simetu, Rory Kleinveldt, Mthokozisi Shezi, Sybrand Engelbrecht.

zaahier.adams@inl.co.za

@IndyCapeSport