The first week of the CSA T20 Challenge has been nothing short of action, with the Dafabet Warriors currently top the log standings as the only unbeaten side after four matches.
A look at their opening matches;
Dafabet Warriors vs AET Tuskers – Dafabet St George’s Park, Gqeberha
Dafabet Warriors beat AET Tuskers by 37 runs in Gqeberha where Marco Jansen and Siya Simetu were the stars of the show.
The pair shared seven wickets between them with South Africa all-rounder Jansen claiming four for 19 and spinner Simetu taking three for 25 to blow away the KwaZulu-Natal side for 88 in 16.4 overs.
This was in pursuit of 125 all out at Dafabet St George’s Park, which the home side got to thanks mainly to top three Matthew Breetzke (25), Jiveshan Pillay (29) and Jordan Hermann (21).
Smangaliso Nhlebela (3/17) and Alindile Mhletywa (3/19) were key in the Tuskers’ bowling display, but their efforts were ultimately not enough.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins vs Dafabet Warriors – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
This was a second successive bonus-point win for the Dafabet Warriors after they smashed the Hollywoodbets Dolphins by seven wickets at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.
The home side simply could not get going after winning the toss and batting, ending on 121/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Marco Jansen (2/14) and Siya Simetu (2/15) were the two stand out bowlers, while former Warriors’ captain, Jon-Jon Smuts top-scored with 30.
In reply, Jiveshan Pillay (42) and Matthew Breetzke (31) did most of the damage with the bat to ensure their side won at a canter, with 35 balls to spare.
Momentum Multiply Titans vs Dafabet Warriors – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Siya Simetu’s outstanding figures at a crucial juncture of the contest helped the Dafabet Warriors stun the Momentum Multiply Titans to go top of the CSA T20 Challenge table with a nail-biting two-run win at SuperSport Park on Wednesday.
Coming in to bowl with the hosts running away in a big 186-run chase, the 32-year-old spinner claimed three for a miserly 20 runs to ensure the locals ended on 183/7.
This despite Dewald Brevis striking an attacking 50 (29 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes) and Rivaldo Moonsamy hitting 34 to put the Titans on course victory.
At one stage they were seemingly coasting at 121/3 after 13 overs, needing just over 50 in 7 overs when Heinrich Klaasen was cleaned up by fellow Protea Marco Jansen (1/49) to begin the slide.
Dayyaan Galiem (32) and South Africa T20 captain Aiden Markram (25) were removed by Simetu to jolt the chase further, and Corbin Bosch (7) was cleaned up by the seasoned spinner to leave the home side limping at the end as they ended just short.
Patrick Kruger also picked up two important wickets in the end, finishing with 2/22.
With the bat for the Warriors, Jansen (56* off 34 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes) and Jiveshan Pillay (50 off 37 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) had earlier top-scored with half centuries to ensure they had set a competitive 185/5.
The result, against a Titans side who were also previously unbeaten, ensured the visitors maintained their 100 percent start to the competition as they stayed top with three wins from three.
Dafabet Warriors vs Gbets Rocks – Dafabet St George’s Park, Gqeberha
Beyers Swanepoel and Patrick Kruger shared seven wickets between them as the Dafabet Warriors maintained their dazzling start to the Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 Challenge season with a fourth win out of four, this time against Gbets Rocks in Gqeberha on Sunday.
The hosts won by 32 runs on the DLS Method with seamer Swanepoel claiming 4/16 and compatriot Kruger bagging 3/20 at the Dafabet St George’s Park.
Warriors batted first and posted 165/6 after winning the toss against the Rocks. Jiveshan Pillay was the top-scorer with 45*, while Kruger again proved key with an unbeaten 29.
Then chasing a revised target in 17 overs, the visitors struggled most of the way through and eventually were bowled out for 117 in 16.4 overs.
TO WIN:
We are giving away tickets to Thursday March 21 game at St George’s Park Cricket Stadium check out our INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK to enter
Leave a Reply