KABER - "IT'S WHAT YOU DREAM OF AS A KID"

MI Cape Town head coach, Robin Peterson decided to alter his line-up slightly for the Cape Derby against Paarl Royals at Newlands on Friday evening, bringing in left-arm wrist spinner Thomas Kaber for left-arm quick Beuran Hendricks. The change in strategy suggests MICT expect the pitch – which has been exposed to baking sun over the last two days – to take turn and prompted Kieron Pollard to choose to field when he won the toss.

Kaber, who played in MICT’s season opener against Durban’s Super Giants before sitting out against Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape, was eagerly looking forward to his return to the line-up.

“There’s definitely excitement [for the Cape Derby] and you can feel it at the ground as the fans begin to come in,” the 31-year-old auction recruit said pre-match.

“Cape Town has to choose and we hope they’re painting it blue tonight – we’re really excited for it and ready to give it a good go.”

Talking about the gameplan against a Royals team who are three-from-three and top the log, Kaber was eager to lay a marker. Not least because the return fixture against Royals at Boland Park takes place on Sunday.

“You wanna make a good start from the first ball as it is with every game you play. Really this is a ‘take the derby, go one-zero with home ground advantage’ - that’s the plan. Newlands is sold out and it’s beautiful ground… it’s what you dream of as a kid.”

Follow all the action from Newlands via our Match Centre...