Africa-Press – South-Africa. Western Province captain Wayne Parnell believes that his side have got the squad to make the One Day Cup final and break a winless streak for the franchise.
The Rocks needed to win both their remaining matches to secure a spot in the One Day Cup final and the seven-wicket bonus point victory against Dragons on Wednesday put them one step closer.
Western Province will take on the Rocks in a must-win game on Friday at Boland Park, as the winner will advance to the final against the Lions.
WP are currently second in the One Day Cup standings and require a win to secure their place in next Thursday’s final.
Parnell is confident that Western Province can clinch a victory in Paarl as they look to play positive cricket.
“I certainly believe that we have the team and the squad to beat anyone in this competition. I think for us, it’s just about rocking up,” Parnell told News24 at the T20 Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour in Canal Walk.
“And with the right mindset and the right attitude and obviously just performing our roles to the best ability. So my and the coach’s message is just keeping things really simple and just sticking to our roles.”
Western Province, formerly also dubbed Cape Cobras, have not won silverware since 2013. A surprising feat that plagues the once-decorated franchise in the ’90s and early 2000s.
Parnell understands the responsibility for leading and the expectation on Western Province to deliver on Friday in their Cape-derby.
“This union hasn’t won anything for a very long time, and it’s a union that’s steeped in history of winning titles and trophies,” said Parnell.
“For us to not have done that is obviously very disappointing. But having said that, there’s an opportunity to be the first (in a while), and to obviously start creating a legacy and take this position forward.
“Obviously, as you get closer to a final and have the opportunity to challenge for a title, there is going to be pressure, which is natural and it’s about each player being able to kind of step up.”
Parnell, who is a regular member in the Proteas white-ball team, says that he hopes that his side can thrive under pressure and book a date with the Lions for the One Day Cup title.
“I’m a kind of person that wants to thrive in those situations and scenarios and as the leader of this group, the message is positivity and wanting people to on the aggressive side of things,” said Parnell.
“I don’t want people to feel under pressure. For me, I think especially in this format, it’s just more about getting percentages in our favour so.
“We want the guys to go out there and express themselves and not play with fear.”
Play on Friday starts at 13:00.
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