Western Province captain Kyle Verreynne has not given up hope on his team salvaging their 2024/25 season.
Province have endured a torrid summer, particularly in comparison to last season, when they cruised to the One-Day Cup title unbeaten and came within a whisker of claiming the Four-Day Series title in the final at the Wanderers.
Instead, this season – apart from earning a T20 playoff spot – it has been tough going down at Newlands, with Province surrendering their One-Day Cup title and finishing last in the 50-over competition.
This placed Province at the heart of an intense relegation battle, with coach Salieg Nackerdien emphasising “It can happen to WP if we don’t get a wake-up call” ahead of the resumption of the four-day competition.
Fortunately, Province – who were boosted by the return of their three Proteas batters Tony de Zorzi, David Bedingham and Verreynne – awoke from their slumber to beat the Titans at Centurion to ensure they will remain in the CSA First Division next season.
But now with two first-class matches still remaining in the season, Verreynne wants his charges to switch their focus from the doom and gloom to a possible place in the final for the second season running.
Province are currently all the way back in sixth place on the log with 73.54 points, but only 6.82 behind the second-placed Dolphins.
While a number of results will need to go in favour of WP, including the hosts beating neighbours Boland at Newlands starting on Thursday (10am), Verreynne has not given up hope of achieving the near impossible.
“I think the team is in a good space. The last couple of days of training have gone really well, we’re sitting in quite a nice position on the four-day log,” the WP wicket-keeper said.
“Obviously still possible to make the final, so I think the guys are really focused on that.
“If we can get over the line in a few of these games and qualify for another final, that’ll be really important for us.
“We made the final last year and lost in the final to the Lions. So, it’ll be nice to go one step further and get to the final, and then win it.
“We’re sitting in quite nice positions in the four-day competition... anything is possible. Hopefully, we can finish it off on a high,” he added.
All-rounder George Linde – who has struck 430 runs at an average of 61.42 this season – will have to play a bigger role with the ball against Boland this weekend in the absence of front-line spinner Kyle Simmonds, who has been ruled out for the season through injury.
The seam attack will, though, once again be led by Proteas new-ball bowler Dane Paterson, along with the in-form Jody Lawrence, who claimed seven wickets last week at SuperSport Park.