The DP World Lions are ready to open the defence of their CSA One-Day Cup title in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday against the newly-promoted AET Tuskers side.

Domingo will be taking the core of the team that won the competition last season, with seven of the starting XI in the final against Western Province making the trip to the AET Pietermaritzburg Oval. The former Proteas and Bangladesh coach is also very pleased with the pre-season work his squad has done.

“It’s a 9.30am start and early summer, so there may be something on offer for the bowlers early on. It could also spin later on. I’m not sure exactly what sort of pitch we’ll get, but it might not be particularly high-scoring. In the last 12 games there, six have been won by the team batting first and six by the team batting second. So, it’s not a massive decision whether we bat or bowl first, what’s important is getting well set in those first 10 overs and that should see us to a good score. We’ve had a fantastic pre-season, the guys have put in lots of hours and they are now really excited to play - it’s time!! We also had a good couple of days at Sun City to discuss how we want to go about things.

The AET Tuskers have a fantastic coach in Grant Morgan who has been around for a long time. They have some really good players like Michael Erlank, Cameron Delport, Kyle Nipper and Pite van Biljon. They have recruited well, and we are under no illusion that it’s going to be a tough game,” Domingo said.

The DP World Lions side will be boosted by new recruits in the classy former Western Province batsman Zubayr Hamza, who scored 56 in his only ODI for South Africa, and Tshepo Moreki, the spearhead of the Newlands-based side’s pace attack last season.

Spin-bowling all-rounder Bjorn Fortuin is itching to make his mark as is Wiaan Mulder. The 25-year-old will form an especially strong lower middle-order with Fortuin and another all-rounder in Delano Potgieter, who returns to the DP World Lions after a stint with North-West.

Wicketkeeper/batsman Ryan Rickelton and fast bowler Duanne Olivier are the other Proteas who will be looking for some big performances.

Squad – Josh Richards, Ryan Rickelton, Dominic Hendricks (Capt), Zubayr Hamza, Mitchell van Buuren, Wiaan Mulder, Delano Potgieter, Bjorn Fortuin, Malusi Siboto, Duanne Olivier, Tshepo Moreki, Codi Yusuf, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Connor Esterhuizen, Mohammed Manack