“I think we just lacked a bit of experience at times and on too many occasions, we were just 15 to 20 runs too short with the bat and that cost us,” says Adams.
“Another factor was that we created chances but dropped a few and we also could not hold onto some of the half chances, which, if taken, could have swung the advantage back in our favour.” Adams continued.
The biggest disappointment of the weekend for Adams and his players came in their final Pool A clash against competition first-timers Uganda, who were a late replacement after Ghana pulled out due to logistical reasons. Western Province came unstuck during Sunday’s contest, as the East Africans chased down 152 to clinch an historic six-wicket victory.
“Uganda came hard at the youngsters,” Adams added. “They thwarted our plan of mixing it up and using slower variations and they chased down our score with relative ease.”
“The lack of experience was evident.” he concluded.
Newly-appointed captain and new signing, Andre Malan – who finished as the side’s third top run-scorer, with 106 runs at 26.50 – concurred with Adams that if they added 20 runs to their totals, it could have been a different story altogether.
Despite that, Malan chose to look at the positives as he believes his side has laid a good foundation for the next phase of the season, while he singled out some impressive performances from some of his team-mates.
“Although the results don’t show it, our performances were not that bad,” Malan stated.
“Guys like our two spinners, George Linde and Kyle Williamson were outstanding and it will bode well for Province during the rest of the season,” he added.
Malan’s younger brother, Janneman continued his sublime pre-season form as he ended the competition with 178 runs at 59.33 in his four innings at the top of the order, including a match-winning, unbeaten 128 (off 67 deliveries, 4sx13; 6sx7). That display ensured he finished as the team’s highest scorer for the tournament, closely followed by Qaasim Adams with 160 runs which included two fifties against KZN Coastal and Uganda.
Standard Bank Proteas bowler and World Sports Betting Cape Cobras frontline seamer, Dane Paterson was another to shine, as he picked up seven scalps at an average of 15.28 in the four matches, finishing with best bowling figures of 3/21.
Western Province will start their First-Class campaign on the 11th of October against Easterns at PPC Newlands, with Adams taking charge of his first season as head coach following his appointment in June this year.
2018 Africa T20 Cup Results:
- WP vs Easterns (14 Sept. ’18)
- WP vs KZN Natal (15 Sept. ’18)
- WP vs KZN Inland (15 Sept. ’18)
- WP vs Uganda (16 Sept. ’18)