POLOKWANE: An electrifying 151-run opening partnership between Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks paved the way for the DP World Lions to earn a thumping 132-run bonus-point win over World Sports Betting Western Province in their latest T20 Challenge clash in Cape Town on Wednesday.
The Proteas duo both hit half centuries to help their side amass 213/2, before rookie spinner Nqaba Peter claimed a remarkable four wickets to blow away the hosts for just 81. Another South Africa international, Lutho Sipamla, was also key with his three wickets, rounding off a fine evening for the visitors, who took control of second spot in the standings.
However, the game was set up by the Rickelton-Hendricks stand, which came inside 14 overs.
The former thumped four sixes and five fours in a 46-ball 73, while the latter was even more rapid on his way to 90 off 49 balls, crunching six sixes and five fours at World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground where the home side would have undoubtedly bee ruing their decision to bowl first.
After the stand was finally broken by George Linde, the most respectable of the bowlers (1/34), Rassie van der Dussen (29*) and Delano Potgieter (14*) ensured there was a flourishing end to set 214.
WP were never in the game after slipping to 9/2 and then 20/3 thanks to Sipamla, before Nqaba’s leg spin bamboozled the rest of the line-up. The 21-year-old now has seven wickets for just 21 runs from his last two outings.
Kyle Verreynne top-scored for Province on their way to being dismissed emphatically in 14.3 overs.
The day’s other match between Auto Investment North West Dragons and the AET Tuskers was abandoned in Potchefstroom on account of the weather.
In Division 2, Limpopo Impalas secured their spot in the CSA T20 Knockout final after clinching a 17-run victory over Eastern Cape Iinyathi in Polokwane.
Skipper, Ruan Haasbroek blasted a winning half-century with 55 runs off just 29 deliveries. He found valuable support from Liam Peters (37) and Louren Steenkamp (33), guiding the Impalas to a competitive total of 159/8.
Jade de Klerk led the bowling charge for Iinyathi, returning figures of 3/19 from his four overs.
Haasbroek’s influence extended beyond his batting prowess as he also made significant contributions with the ball, claiming two crucial wickets by dismissing Eben Botha and executing a run-out against Thobile Hlatuka.
Impalas’ momentum was sustained by consistent breakthroughs, with notable performances from Jason Niemand (30), Jacques van der Merwe (24), Botha (23), and Marco Marais (21).
Despite a resilient effort from Iinyathi, they fell short, concluding their innings at 142/6.
Source: cricket.co.za
Ian Chappell (Australian and South African Former Cricketer):Birthdate: September 26, 1943, Sun Sign: Libra, Birthplace: Unley, Australia
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