Warriors still searching for 'perfect performance', says Qeshile

Despite a perfect record in the CSA T20 Challenge, Warriors wicketkeeper-batsman Sinethemba Qeshile believes their best is yet to come.

Qeshile displayed impressive shot-making ability as he recorded a maiden T20 half-century, registering 51 not out.

He shared 93 runs off just 44 balls with Patrick Kruger (46) to help their side post an above par 186/5 against the North West Dragons on Sunday.

In pursuit of the testing target, the visitors fell 24 runs short after JP King, Renaldo Meyer and Beyers Swanepoel shared six wickets to dismantle the Dragons’ run chase and restrict them to 162/9.

The win saw the Gqeberha side extend their lead at the top of the standings to 27 points after recording their sixth victory of the campaign.

“We talk about hunting in a pack and I think we’ve done that quite well in the past six games,” Qeshile said.

“We haven’t yet played our best cricket; there are areas we can tighten up our basics, be it with the bat, ball or in the field.

“We are still searching for that complete game as a unit.”

The right-hander said his primary objective walking out to the middle was to get the side to a total they believed would be difficult for their opponents to chase given the playing conditions.

“It was difficult to get in at first; the ball was stopping in the wicket and my timing wasn’t quite there,” he said.

“Jordan [Hermann] and I spoke about building a partnership but then we lost him so Patrick [Kruger] and I had to rebuild again and try not to expose our lower order to the Dragons’ attack.

“We had initially planned to cut loose with three overs to go but we got some runs in the 17th over and carried that momentum through to the end.

“Given the two-paced nature of the pitch we had about 160-170 in mind, so we were pleased to take the score past 180.

“We always speak about being patient, delivering your best ball at all times and sticking to one plan for as long as possible.

“And if that doesn’t work we look at other ways to achieve the goals we set in each encounter.

“T20 cricket is a thinking on your feet type of game, you are never out of the game until all 120 balls have been bowled.”

Qeshile believes the team are full of confidence knowing there is no heavy reliance on just one or two players to get the job done.

“Having different guys contributing in different situations with bat or ball has given us a lot of confidence as a group.

“The guys have performed admirably, putting in performances not just for themselves but for the team, and I think our results have shown that up to now.

“The next two games away against the Lions [in Johannesburg on Wednesday at 6pm] and Western Province [on Sunday in Paarl at 10am] will offer more stern tests for us as a group but we have a lot of belief in our ability to go toe to toe with any of the sides in the competition,” he said.

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