Chevrolet Warriors History

In 2003, in a bid to improve the standard of domestic cricket, Cricket South Africa made its biggest decision since the unification of the sport in 1992. The decision was to cut the 11 provincial teams down to just six franchises. A decision that certainly had financial benefits as well, as the strain of financially sustaining the original 11 provincial teams was a weighty one.

And so the Warriors, the Titans, the Cobras, the Dolphins, the Eagles and the Lions were born.

Naturally, this decision meant the ironing out of more than a few hiccups along the way. Such as the Eastern Province and Border authorities having to merge their two long standing cricket traditions into one successful unit. A situation further aggravated by a 300km commute for meetings.

In an article in the 2005 Mutual and Federal SA Cricket Annual, the difficulties that the Warriors faced were outlined by current national coach Mickey Arthur, who was appointed coach of the Warriors in 2004. Arthur said the Warriors had initially faced an identity problem, and travelling to venues 300km apart had made life more difficult than in other franchises. However, Arthur said he felt the intensity levels had increased in domestic cricket and that there had been real competition for places in the Warriors squad.

Since then time, combined with intensive marketing efforts, has seen the Warriors become an integrated part of the Eastern Cape cricket scene, as supporters of the two cricket provinces have gradually become accustomed to the new environment of domestic cricket.

After the resignation of national coach Eric Simons in 2005, Arthur took over the South African job and Russell Domingo, a former national U-19 assistant coach and also the EP Amateur side coach, was appointed as head the Warriors coaching management.

While the amalgamation of the two provinces has not been without its difficulties, the Warriors have proved effective from the onset, particularly in the limited overs competitions.