02 Apr Warriors March On As Lions Beat Rocks
PAARL: The Dafabet Warriors continued their remarkable run in the 2023/24 T20 Challenge by winning an incredible eighth match in a row after crushing World Sports Betting Western Province by nine wickets in Paarl on Sunday.
The Eastern Cape side, whose latest match winner was Matthew Breetzke, took their advantage at the table summit to 14 points over DP World Lions after they won the later match of a double header in Boland Park against hosts Gbets Rocks by the same margin.
Bowling first in the early game after losing the toss, the Warriors’ bowlers restricted Province to 142/7 with two wickets each for Nealan van Heerden (2/25) and Alfred Mothoa (2/36).
Geoge Linde (30) top-scored with starts for plenty others, all of whom failed to kick on as the log-leaders took control.
In reply, Jiveshan Pillay (31) and Breetzke (62* off 48 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) put on 80 for the first wicket, before a marauding 20-ball 47* by Beyers Swanepoel, who clobbered six sixes, saw the Warriors charge to victory with 3.3 overs to spare.
The Lions were equally incisive in their win over the home side after allowing them to post a mere 116/8 after winning the toss and batting.
Rookie spinner Nqaba Peter was the pick of the bowlers with a career-best 3/14 that was supported expertly by Bjorn Fortuin (2/15) and Wiaan Mulder (2/26). Only Ferisco Adams (37) walked away with any credibility for the Rocks.
Reeza Hendricks lead the way in the reply by striking an unbeaten 53 (47 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes). He was supported by Ryan Rickelton (23) and Evan Jones (43*) as the Johannesburg side won by 9 wickets and with 16 deliveries to spare.
ENDS
Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications
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