Written by: Ndumiso Nxumalo

The Cape Cobras have stuck with their tried and tested squad for the 2016/17 season, with a few rookies set to strengthen their position in the new upcoming season.

Zubair Hamza and Jason Smith are the two who will spend a full season with the senior squad for the first time.

Right-hander Hamza is yet to make his franchise debut, even though he was on the fringes during the second half of last season. The 20-year-old has been a prolific scorer at the provincial level and boasts an impressive average of 56.85 in 20 matches.

All-rounder Smith, 21, did get his chance at the back end of the last campaign when he debuted for the Cobras against the Sunfoil Dolphins in Durban. Smith has 22 wickets through his medium-pace in 17 first-class games, whilst averaging 25.59 with the bat.

Cape Cobras Manager Clifford Dodggen said they are more than just prepared for 2016/2017 season.

“This season we challenging all the title, from Ram Slam T20 Challenge, Sunfoil Series and Momentum Cup and with the current new squad on board, we have what we take to achieve our goal,” said Dodggen.

Other inexperienced faces in the squad are Keagan Petersen, a former Boland u.19-player who hails from Paarl, Petersen was named as Cricket South Africa (CSA) Provincial Three-day cricketer of the year in 2014, and Aviwe Mgijima.

The Cobras also have five nationally contracted on their book which makes them a strong team for this upcoming season.

By including the former South African national team skipper Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn, JP Duminy, Vernon Philander and their 2015/16 Player of the Season, Wayne Parnell, Cobras will be a competitive team this season.

The full Cobras squad is: Andrew Puttick, Dale Steyn, Beuran Hendricks, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Wayne Parnell, Dane Vilas, Justin Ontong, Lizaad Williams, Hashim Amla, Omphile Ramela, Richard Levi, Rory Kleinveldt, Vernon Philander, Stiaan van Zyl, Tshepo Moreki, George Linde, Zubair Hamza, JP Duminy, Jason Smith, Keagan Petersen, Aviwe Mgijima.

Picture: Rookies add flavour to Cobras Squad

Picture Credit: Micheal Owen-Smith