11 Mar Knights and Warriors claim first wins at Franchise Academy Week
Tshediso Keshwa and PJ du Plessis shared six wickets to help the VKB Knights stun the Momentum Multiply Titans on the second day of the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Franchise Academy 1-Day Week in George on Wednesday.
The pair claimed three for 36 and three for 41 respectively as the Central Franchise won by three wickets and with a bonus point to register their first win of the week.
There was also a first victory for the Warriors over the winless Hollywoodbets Dolphins, while the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras made it two from two with a tense three-wicket triumph over the Imperial Lions.
But it was the Knights who shone on the second day when they claimed the first bonus point of the competition.
After winning the toss and batting, the Titans were bowled out for 175 thanks in the main to Keshwa and Du Plessis. Dian Forrester top-scored for the Titans with 40, with 36 coming via the bat of Kiel van Vollenhoven.
But the pair lacked support – their team bowled out in 49.3 overs.
Apart from the two best bowlers for the Knights, two other players capped fine all-round games with outstanding displays. Pheko Moletsane sent down five maidens in his return of one for 11 in 10 overs, while NJ Stanaard bagged two for 26.
The former then struck 33 and the latter an unbeaten 41 to help their side romp to the target in 37.3 overs. CP Klinjhans was the joint top-scorer with 41 alongside Stanaard.
Elsewhere, the Warriors needed an unbeaten 28 by Morne Venter to seal an even more tense one-wicket win over the Dolphins.
After winning the toss and batting, the KwaZulu-Natal side were rolled over for just 130 as Nonelela Yikha and Nicholas Fowler (both 3/20) ran riot. Jason Kraft and Matthew Pollard hit 22s in a woeful batting display.
Yikha also did the business with the bat by hitting 27, before the Warriors fell into some trouble, but Venter got them over the line with 4.5 overs to spare.
Finally, Sisonke Mazela claimed the best figures of the day – a return of four for 22 – as the Cobras made it two wins from two to top the table.
The youngster helped bowl out the Johannesburg-based team for only 168 with Diego du Plessis (2/27) and Kyle Pluke (2/36) contributing most of the other wickets.
Jacob Miltz (42) and Jesse Albany (36 not out) were the only two batsmen to make meaningful contributions.
But the total proved a few runs short for the Lions to defend, with Lehan Botha (40) Jordan Woolf (30) and Thembelani Ngcizela (32) leading the Cobras to victory with 13 balls to spare.
Day three of the CSA Franchise Academy 1-Day Week continues on Thursday. To follow the action live from George, go to www.websports.co.za.