Wins For Both KZN Sides In CSA T20 Challenge

GQEBERHA: A scintillating unbeaten 83 by Cameron Delport helped the AET Tuskers flatten defending champions Momentum Multiply Titans by 6 wickets at SuperSport Park in Centurion in the latest round of Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 Challenge matches held on Sunday.

The veteran opener smashed six sixes and five fours in a world-wind 49-ball show as the visitors easily chased down 166 with 14 balls to spare, securing only their second win of the campaign, although they stayed bottom of the table.

There was also a win for the Tuskers’ KwaZulu-Natal neighbours, Hollywoodbets Dolphins, who overcame Auto Investment North West Dragons by 19 runs in Potchefstroom thanks to half centuries from Marques Ackerman and Eathan Bosch.

The day’s other game between World Sports Betting Western Province and Gbets Rocks ended in a no result after rain ruined the clash in Cape Town.

Delport’s performance, though, was the one that stood out for a Tuskers team that has struggled so far this season.

The Pietermaritzburg-based side bowled first after winning the toss and managed to restrict the home side to 165/6.

This despite Lhuan-dre Pretorius top-scoring with 58 (43 balls, 10 fours) with support coming from Steve Stolk (22), Sibonelo Makhanya (28) and Neil Brand (32*).

Kurtlyn Mannikam was the best of the bowlers for the Tuskers, claiming a tidy 3/28, before a destructive display by Delport caught the Titans by surprise.

First, he put on 71 with Kagiso Rapulana in 7.3 overs, before Cameron Shekleton (15) and Keith Dudgeon (28) helped do the rest of the work and complete the job.

Meanwhile at the JB Marks Oval, the Dolphins climbed up to third thanks in the main to Ackerman and Bosch.

The duo, the only two to reach double figures, strung together a remarkable recovery for their side after they had been emphatically reduced to 39/7 when they lost the toss and were put in to bat.

The former scored 72* off 46 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes) and the latter hit 66 off 38 balls (6 fours, 1 six) in an eighth wicket partnership of 134 that ended with the last ball of the innings.

Migael Pretorius (3/35) and Ruan De Swardt (3/23) each claimed three wickets for the Dragons, who could only manage 154/9 in their reply.

Raynard van Tonder top-scored by recording 37 with Okuhle Cele (3/28) and Ottniel Baartman (2/28) sharing five wickets to earn their side a good win.

The other game on Sunday lasted 9.2 overs with Province reaching 86/1 after winning the toss and batting. Tony de Zorzi was unbeaten on 51 (3 fours, 4 sixes) and Kyle Verreynne had reached 28 when the weather intervened.

Source: cricket.co.za

Ahmed Amla: Growing up playing cricket and a variety of other sports, such as tennis and football, Ahmed Amla later made it big in South African cricket just like his younger brother, Hashim Amla. Unlike Hashim, however, he doesn’t sport a beard. He studied business after retiring from cricket.