bizhub Highveld Lions departed for India on Tuesday September 17 for the 2013 Karbon Smart Champions League tour.
The Champions League will commence next week. bizhub Highveld Lions will play in their third consecutive T20 Champions League and in the past made it to the semi-finals, but are hoping to make it third time lucky.
Their first fixture will be on Monday September 23 against Perth Scorchers, Wednesday September 25 Rajastan Royals and September 27 Mumbai Indians. On Sunday September 29 the qualifiers will take place.
“We have only three matches before the play-offs, thus we must start immediately with our effort, there is no time to adjust and to play ourselves in,” said Geoffrey Toyana, Head coach at the send-off on Monday September 16.
The team will be captained by, Alviro Petersen. He will still be at the head of the team in all formats of the game. He will be assisted by Stephen Cook in the Sunfoil Series and the Momentum One Day Cup. Jean Symes steps in as Vice-Captain for the RAM SLAM T20.
Chairman, Archie Pretorius, sees this as perfecting what worked well for the team in the previous season. “These three players added immense value to the team environment in the previous season. Both Stephen and Jean play an important supportive role and are able to step up when Alviro is on national duty. This is crucial from a continuity perspective ensuring that the team’s momentum is not disturbed,” Pretorius said.
For Petersen, this will further strengthen the foundation that the team has built. “We needed to ensure that the team is equipped with all it needs to function as a successful unit and securing the leadership is integral to that. The last thing we want is to be regarded as one hit wonders. Although we relish and enjoy the successes of last season, the real hard work comes now that the world is paying attention to a side that used to be the underdogs in any battle that we stepped into,” said Petersen.
“I have full confidence in Stephen and Jean and know that they will provide me as a captain with the necessary support to lead this team in the season to come.”
