Tsepo finds his groove for Warriors

Spinner Tsepo Ndwandwa is confident the Gbets Warriors will end the year on a good note in their final CSA 4-Day Franchise Series, Division 1 clash against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins later in December.

The slow left-arm orthodox bowler has seen his stock mature after a number of sparkling performances for the side in recent weeks.

Riding the crest of a wave after some match-winning performances by the Eastern Cape side which has seen them claim maximum points in three of the last four matches, Ndwandwa is confident they can continue on their current path ahead of the midseason break.

Ndwandwa has shone with the ball, taking 10 wickets in two matches for the Warriors to help them claim convincing victories against the North West Dragons and Western Province in recent weeks.

“I think for me personally, I have been looking forward to playing red-ball cricket since we began preseason training.

“I think that helped me build a lot of confidence coming into the red ball season.

“Obviously, we prepare to play for all formats, but I personally prefer playing the longer format of the game.

“I enjoy it because it gives me time to get into a groove.

“I can think about what I want to do and just execute my skills as best as I know how,” he said.

Asked how he would approach the next few weeks leading up to the Dolphins clash, he said: “I think the most important thing for us is to keep the professionalism in the squad.

“It is something we speak about quite often as a team.

“So, I think if we stick to what works for us and what we do well, nothing will change in terms of how we play.

“We have won two games in a row now, so I am really looking forward to the next game. The momentum is there now; there is a three-week break before the Dolphins game, so the guys will be fresh and ready for battle when the time comes,” the former Masiphathisane Senior Secondary School pupil said.

Born and raised in Motherwell in Gqeberha, Ndwandwa said he had worked hard for the opportunity to play franchise cricket and would work even harder to ensure he kept his spot in the squad.

“Over the last few seasons, I have had many teammates and coaches telling me that I deserve a shot at playing franchise cricket.

“So when I got the offer to join the Warriors, I just needed to continue working hard to ensure that if the opportunity comes for me to play I would be ready,” the former Border and South Western Districts spinner said.

Having won a few caps for the Cape Cobras during his time at SWD, Ndwandwa said he came to Gqeberha to get more game time.

“Playing for the Cobras really gave me insight into what it takes to play at franchise level, so when I was contacted by the Warriors, I saw it as a chance for me to use the skills I have learned but at the same time, develop new ones in a bid to take my game to new heights,” he said.

Coming into the Warriors set-up at the beginning of the 2021-2022 preseason preparations, Ndwandwa said it was exciting to enter a new environment and adapt as fast as possible.

He said having the likes of Jon-jon Smuts and head coach Robin Peterson, both slow left-arm orthodox bowlers, had been good because it gave him the chance to feed off them and ask questions about ways in which he could improve.