The Northern Raiders

THE Northern Raiders feel they have all their bases covered ahead of the new Boland T10 tournament that begins this weekend at Boland Park in Paarl.

The Raiders are up against the Stellenbosch Kings in their tournament opener which is the first game of day three of the BT10.

The experienced Ferisco Adams, is one of the Raiders’ marquees players along with left arm seamer, Akhona Mnyaka, and batter Gavin Kaplan, who can also double up as a wicketkeeper. Adams, affectionately known as ‘’The Ice Man’’ for the coolness he portrays in pressure situations, will captain the Raiders.

He didn’t beat around the bush when asked about his team’s ambitions for the tournament. ‘’We aren’t here just to compete in this tournament. We obviously play to win and that is the same for the Northern Raiders. For us it’s not just about competing, we are actually in this competition to win it.’’

Speaking about the Raider’s strategy going into the draft evening the Robertson native said: ‘’We wanted to get a good enough keeper very early on (in the draft process) coupled with decent spinners and also allrounders who can fulfil a role with both and ball.

Speaking about the Raiders atmosphere in the camp in the lead up to the tournament, Adams said they are relaxed but excited. ‘’There’s s lot of positive chatter going on in the group and we’re just excited to get the tournament underway. We had our first training session last week and the guys got together nicely,’’ he concluded.

The Raiders have a strong Robertson flavour in their squad but also managed to draft allrounders, Siviwe Nkonzombi (Maties), Fenito Mehl (Paarl East) and Javier Visser (Paarl CC), amongst others.

The Northern Raiders will be coached by former Boland, Dolphins and Griquas fast bowler, Zahir Abrahim, who will be assisted by Gradwell Fortuin.

NORTHERN RAIDERS:  Ferisco Adams, Gavin Kaplan, Akhona Mnyaka, Haydar Khan, Keaton Pietersen, Leolan Davids, Charlton Fransman, Byron Buys, Lo-Waden Siegelaar, Marshin Jeftha, Javier Visser, Siviwe Nkonzombi, Shaun Fata, Cecil Jooste, Warren Davids, Fenito Mehl, Brandon Erasmus.

Coach: Zahir Abrahim

Assistant coach: Gradwell Fortuin