The CSA One Day Cup will give the North West Dragons one final opportunity for silverware in their first season back among South Africa’s cricketing elite.

The Dragons are trophyless thus far in an injury-hampered season back in the first division. A disappointing innings loss against Western Province at Newlands headlined their woes in the four-day competition last weekend.

They will now need to put that behind them and focus on the 50 over format with a CSA One Day Cup clash at home at the J.B. Marks Oval on Friday, 11 March, against the same WP side that beat them convincingly. This opening match of the competition presents the Dragons with an opportunity to start afresh with a victory at home.

The Dragons will need to capitalise on home ground advantage in the contest as they only play three of their seven matches at home. The Dragons will rely heavily on the in-form Senuran Muthusamy, who has shown great form with bat and ball of late.

Muthusamy scored a century and half-century in the four-day match against WP last weekend and will want to continue his form on Friday. Delano Potgieter and Wesley Marshall will be two key players with the bat. Potgieter’s knack of picking up wickets will add to the Dragons’ firepower. Conversely, Western Province brings numerous dangerous elements to the J.B. Marks Oval.

The all-rounder, Wayne Parnell, fast bowler, Beuran Hendricks, spinner, George Linde and opening batsman, Jonathan Bird, have been in sumptuous form for the Capetonians.

The good news for cricket fans is that vaccinated spectators are allowed to enter the stadium to watch the Dragons in action for the first time this year.

The number of spectators will be limited to 1,500 and proof of vaccination will be required at the gate.

Ticket prices for students, scholars and pensioners is R20 and for adults, R50.

The match against Western Province starts at 13:00.