The beleaguered Eastern Cape Iinyathi swing back into action from Thursday after enjoying a one-week break.
This no doubt will have helped them recharge their batteries as they go in search of their first win in the CSA Division 2 four-day competition against the Northern Cape Heat at the Oval in Kimberley.
It has not been a season to smile about for the Buffaloes following a dismal T20 provincial challenge where they failed to make the semifinals, something they had achieved in the past two seasons.
They would have hoped for a change in fortunes in the longer format two weeks back, but it was more of the same as they slumped to a 149-run defeat to the Garden Route Badgers in the four-day opener at Buffalo Park in East London.
The Buffaloes started the final day of that game on 104 for four and needed 193 more runs to win, but by 10.55am they were all out for 148 with some spectators still chugging on their first pints of beer.
The loss provided more questions than answers in the Iinyathi camp as to the way forward in the longer format after a sombre T20 campaign earlier in the season.
Can they shape up to the Heat in Kimberley will be the question at the back of the minds of those who follow Border.
The Heat played to a draw in the opener against the Mpumalanga Rhinos in Mpumalanga and will be licking their lips to get yet another win over Iinyathi.
The East London outfit have been made bunnies by the Heat, losing two of their three encounters by 100-plus margins.
Under-fire Iinyathi head coach Tumelo Bodibe will be hoping his charges punch above their weight and get the win that could potentially open doors for many.
The Kimberley pitch is known to be batting-friendly and might be exactly what his top order need to put in big scores.
When the Iinyathi set a solid platform for the middle order, they manage to win 50% of their games.
In the Badgers game, this was not the case and Bodibe will hope they fire on all cylinders.
With the ball, he will hope spinner Jade de Klerk continues his good form.
The CSA Awards nominee for 2023 Division 2 four-day player of the season picked up a 10-wicket haul in the last game against the Badgers.
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