28 Feb ROCKS CROWNED 2021/22 CSA T20 CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS
Sunday, 27 February 2022
GQEBERHA: One for the books as the Gbets Rocks claim their first trophy as debutants in the Cricket South Africa Division 1 league.
The Gbets Rocks claimed a 15-run victory over the Momentum Multiply Titans in a spectacular CSA T20 Challenge finale clash at St George’s Park today.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, captain, Pieter Malan, led from the front this afternoon as he anchored the innings with a solid 71 off 56, smashing two boundaries and five maximums even though wickets kept falling around him.
Janneman Malan was bowled by Lizaad Williams (2/30) in third over with just seven runs before Clyde Fortuin was run out by Ayabulela Gqamane with the same amount of runs at the end of powerplay.
Tabraiz Shamsi continued to dominate as he collapsed the Rocks middle order, recording 3/20 after he dismissed Michael Copeland with just one run, trapped Ferisco Adams lbw with six runs, and Valentine Kitime caught by keeper, de Kock with three runs.
Hardus Viljoen smashed his way to a 32* off 16 (3 boundaries and 2 maximums) as Rocks ended their innings on 138/6.
The Rocks bowlers continued where their skipper had left off and dismissed the Titans openers early in the innings.
Imran Manack dismissed Quinton de Kock, who was caught by P. Malan mid-on with nine runs, Theunis de Bruyn stumped by keeper Clyde Fortuin while Dewald Brevis was caught by Shaun von Berg going for a maximum off Siyabonga Mahima’s bowling and Titans were 34/3 at the end of powerplay.
Sibonelo Makhanya’s 37 and Donovan Ferreira (22), tried to rebuild the innings with a 34-run stand before Ferreira was run out by a brilliant throw from Adams and Makhanya was caught by Adams off von Berg four deliveries later.
Titans lower order also collapsed at regular intervals as Gqamane was caught and bowled by Viljoen with only one ball faced, P. Malan caught Aaron Phangiso (6) off Manack and Adams dismissed Junior Dala with eight runs in the last over. Shamsi (3*) and Williams (2*) saw the innings off as Titans we 123/9 at the end of their 20 overs and Rocks won the game by 15 runs.
Rocks recorded great bowling figures with Manack (2/14 in 4 overs), Viljoen (2/14 in 3 overs), and Mahima (2/22 in 4 overs).
ENDS
Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications