Exclusive: Boland’s Winning Formula and Their Path to One Day Cup Glory

It’s no secret that playing at Boland Park is no easy feat. The unique conditions at the ground have been a significant factor in Boland’s impressive home record. The team has proven to be unbeatable on their home turf, sitting proudly at the top of the One Day Cup standings. 

With a direct ticket to the final, they now await the winner of the upcoming playoff qualifier between the Dolphins and Titans.

Under the guidance of head coach Justin Ontong, Boland has found a winning formula. Yet, Ontong remains humble about the team’s success, downplaying any talk of their current form. He acknowledges the importance of playing to their strengths, especially when it comes to the conditions at Boland Park.

The Boland Formula

Boland's strategy on their home ground revolves around their deep understanding of the pitch.

“I think [visiting] teams find it difficult to come to Boland. We have been playing on these wickets for a while now and we know the conditions really well. I don’t want to give too many secrets away, but there is a specific way to play cricket on our surface," Ontong told SportsBoom.com. 

Their success lies in capitalizing on the unique characteristics of the Boland Park wicket..

“At the moment, we are capitalizing on how the wicket is playing out. Our bowlers have been exceptional. Every time we have played at Boland Park, we ended up batting second, and sometimes it is not an easy wicket to bat second, but we have found a way.”

With the bowlers leading the charge, Boland has set a solid foundation for their batting line-up to flourish. 

“If the bowlers are performing on the day, it gives a good platform for the batters to score the runs. We have won games here with bonus points. Whether they come ugly, we take the wins.”

Boland’s Player Pipeline

The success of Boland isn’t just about the senior players. Ontong and his coaching staff have provided a platform for young cricketers to showcase their talents, and the results have been evident. 

The club’s solid development pipeline, including the well-run preseason Boland T10 tournament, has allowed young talent to shine alongside professional cricketers.

“The tournaments such as the Boland T10 give so much exposure to the youngsters and play all the games at Boland Park,” Ontong says. 

“It is no secret that Boland has a lot of cricketing talent, and we need to make sure we keep that talent and harness it in the right way.”

This investment in youth has paid off, with young stars such as Lehan Botha, Nathan Jacobs, and Ethan Cunningham emerging as key contributors to the team’s success. 

Ontong is clear about his expectations: “We have been really close as a squad, we trained hard together, and we always tell the players when they get an opportunity to play, they need to make it count. And those players I’ve mentioned have got us through in a few games.”

Boland’s Chances of Winning the One Day Cup

With the final set to take place at Boland Park, the team is in a prime position to lift the One Day Cup trophy. Having remained unbeaten at home, their confidence is high as they prepare for the ultimate challenge. However, Ontong is cautious not to get ahead of himself.

“I said to my players, we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves and need to take it day by day and stick to our processes,” Ontong reflects. 

“We are in an ideal position where we will play the final at home. We wanted to be a team not known to only perform at home but also away.”

The Proposed New Franchise System

In the backdrop of Boland’s success, Cricket South Africa (CSA) is considering a restructuring of the professional teams. This proposal stems from CSA’s Financial Sustainability Report, with two options on the table: either a reduction to eight or ten professional teams. This move is aimed at reducing costs and ensuring the long-term health of South African cricket.

Ontong acknowledges the mixed emotions surrounding the proposal. 

“This has definitely got its pros and cons. What is important, we got to make decisions for what’s best for cricket in South Africa. If we feel this restructuring will be the best chance for our professionals to showcase their skills and ultimately become international cricketers, so be it.”

Despite potential drawbacks, Ontong is focused on what’s best for the sport. 

“If it will be for the better, we need to get behind the decision and make sure it becomes a real success. Like I said, there will be some pros and cons to it, and it’s our duty to put cricket in South Africa in a healthy state.”