Titans, Warriors in Play-off

PAARL: A half century by Blayde Capell coupled with a fine all-round bowling display helped Goldrush Boland secure their place in the 1 Day Cup final with victory over World Sports Betting Western Province in Paarl on Sunday.

They will face either the Momentum Multiply Titans or Dafabet Warriors after both won their final regular season fixtures to reach the play-offs, with the Hollywoodbets Dolphins the unfortunate ones to miss out despite also emerging victorious in round seven.

Boland eased past their rivals by five wickets in a low-scoring affair that saw the visitors bowled out for just 182 in 45.2 overs after being asked to bat first in the Cape derby.

Shaun Von Berg (3/44), Imran Manack (2/32), Siyabonga Mahima (2/17) and Aviwe Mgijima (2/27) were all amongst the wickets for the hosts at Boland Park, with Eddie Moore (51 off 73 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) the top-scorer for Province.

Capell then anchored the chase with 59 off 96 balls (3 fours, 1 six) with Gavin Kaplan hitting 46 – the home side patiently hunting down the target with just under seven overs to spare.

The result ensuring they moved to an unassailable 25 points at the summit and they will now host the final next Sunday.

They will meet either the in-form Titans or Warriors in that game. The former, who have been in destructive form during recent rounds, smashed the Knights by seven wickets in a winner-takes-all affair in Bloemfontein where Dewald Brevis clobbered another amazing innings.

The young batter plundered seven sixes and eight fours in an unbeaten 38-ball 83 to help his side chase down a target of 231 in just 38.3 overs. He was helped by half centuries from Neil Brand (66 off 85 balls, 6 fours) and Keegan Petersen (59* off 89 balls, 5 fours) at the Mangaung Oval.

Earlier, Patrick Botha stuck a century for the Knights when he hit 109 off 146 balls (9 fours), but he lacked support as Dayyaan Galiem grabbed three for 32. The home side were all out in their 50 overs and they then succumbed to the ruthless Titans’ batters to miss out on the knockouts.

On the coast in Gqeberha, the Warriors overcame the DP World Lions by 33 runs on the DLS method.

The match made it to 72.2 overs with the visitors first batting and posting 279 for five at St George’s Park with 50s for Connor Esterhuizen (87 off 80 balls, 5 fours, 4 sixes) and Mitchell van Buuren (56 off 69 balls, 4 fours, 1 six).

The home side came out attacking and reached 124 for one when rain intervened and ended the game prematurely. Jordan Hermann (40), Matthew de Villiers (49*) and Matthew Breetzke (30*) did more than enough for their side to ensure they qualified ahead of the Dolphins.

The Durban side missed out despite beating the NWU Dragons by seven wickets on the DLS method in Potchefstroom.

Batting first, the home side posted 246 for seven thanks largely to Wihan Lubbe (69 off 86 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) and Ruan De Swardt (45*). Prenelan Subrayen was outstanding with the ball, picking up two for 22.

Jon-Jon Smuts (75 off 73 balls, 10 fours) and Jason Smith (61* off 64 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) then both hit half centuries as the Dolphins chased down their revised target – altered on account of the weather – and reached 216 for three in 34.5 overs to win comfortably and end the season on a high.

Source: cricket.co.za

Herschelle Gibbs: Herschelle Gibbs is a South African former cricketer who became the first player to hit six consecutive sixes in one over in One Day International cricket. Apart from his batting exploits, Gibbs was also known for his superlative fielding. After retiring from the game, he is into the coaching now.