Confident Tuskers face the Heat at home in 4-Day Series

After a strong start to their campaign, the ACDC Express Tuskers welcome the Northern Cape Heat to the AET Pietermaritzburg Oval in the Division 2 of the CSA 4-Day Domestic Series this week.

The Tuskers have an unblemished record so far in the competition with two wins from their opening two matches and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run and increase their lead at the top of the log.

It was an impressive start to the campaign for the Tuskers as they won both of their opening matches away from home. Firstly winning in Benoni and then backing it up with a victory in Oudtshoorn.

Captain of the Tuskers side Michael Erlank has led from the front with the bat and explains how the squad is feeling after their positive start.

“The mood in the camp is really good as you would expect after two wins in the 4-Day competition,” Erlank said.

“To get two wins on the road was also massive and the boys are really happy and we are in a really good space at the moment.

“We have tried to keep things simple so far and play to our strengths which has helped us get these good results.”

The Tuskers take on the Heat this week in Pietermaritzburg and the side from Kimberley has also started the competition well with a win and a draw from their opening two matches.

They currently sit second on the log and Erlank knows they will provide a serious challenge for his team.

“It’s going to be a really tough game because I think they are a really well-balanced side with some good youngsters in the mix.

“They’ve got some really good, experienced seamers that have been around for a long time and understand the game in and out so that will be a good test for us.”

After two weeks on the road the Tuskers are back in their home conditions this week, something that Erlank and his team are looking forward to.

“It’s very nice to be back home this week and the boys are looking forward to playing in our own conditions.

“Hopefully the conditions help us and give us the edge in match that is going to be tough,” Erlank added.

The Tuskers currently have the competition’s leading run scorer and leading wicket taker with Erlank leading the way with the bat with 298 runs in three innings while Ziyaad Abrahams has taken 13 wickets so far.

After their opening two wins in the competition coach Ahmed Amla has been able to select the same squad for the third consecutive game.

ACDC Express Tuskers Squad

Ben Compton, Kagiso Rapulana, Cameron Shekelton, Mike Erlank (Captain), Sean Gilson, Chad Laycock, Sean Whitehead, Ntando Zuma, Marcello Piedt, Ziyaad Abrahams, Mbulelo Budaza, James Ritchie, Thabiso Ndlela.