CSA T20 Challenge 2021: Results and highlights
CSA T20 Challenge 2021 Match One
Tabraiz Shamsi lead a dynamic all-round bowling performance before Heinrich Klaasen composed nerves with an unbeaten half-century to fire the Momentum Multiply Titans to a six-wicket victory over the VKB Knights in the CSA T20 Challenge opener in Durban on Friday 19 February 2021.
On a sweltering morning at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium – where the 2020/21 tournament is being hosted in a bio-secure environment – the Central Franchise won the toss and opted to bat first, only to be steamrolled for 116 inside 17 overs.
Spinner Shamsi was the most successful of the bowlers with three for 20 in his four overs, but the IPL’s multi-million rand man Chris Morris showed his worth by claiming one for 10 in 3.2 overs. There were also two wickets apiece for Lungi Ngidi (2/19), Lizaad Wiliams (2/20) and Dayyaan Galiem (2/25) in what was a fine display with the ball by the Titans.
Migael Pretorius (3/26) then rocked the top order of the Centurion-based side to leave them on seven for three, before captain Klaasen belted 54* off 40 balls (3 sixes, 3 fours) to lead his side home with 17 deliveries to spare.
It was a strong start from Mandla Mashimbyi’s side and just reward for what was a strong showing with the ball.
However, the Knights only have themselves to blame after they flew out of the blocks to reach 84 for two in the ninth over thanks to Andries Gous (35) and Pite van Biljon (33). Patrick Kruger also struck 22 earlier.
But it all went horribly wrong from there as they lost their remaining eight wickets for just 32 runs to be dismissed in 16.2 overs.
Pretorius then threatened to alter a relatively straightforward-looking script with his double strike up front, his wickets including Theunis de Bruyn (0), Aiden Markram (5) and Sibonelo Makhanya (0).
But Dean Elgar hit an assured 37 during a stand of 76 with Klaasen, who then finished the job alongside Morris (21*).
CSA T20 Challenge 2021 Match Two
A career-best four for 15 by Keshav Maharaj upstaged Siyabonga Mahima’s debut hat-trick as the Hollywoodbets Dolphins made a strong start to their Betway T20 Challenge campaign with a 14-run win over the Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras in Durban on Friday 19 February.
There was also a vital ninth career half-century from Khaya Zondo that set the hosts up for a total of 155 for eight after they won the toss and opted to bat first at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.
The right-hander was in explosive form, plundering 59 off 39 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes), but was the second of rookie leg-break bowler Mahami’s hat-trick victims – the 24-year-old finishing with the dreamy figures of four for 18 in three overs.
But he was then upstaged by Proteas slow left-armer Maharaj, who beat his previous best figures of three for seven that he claimed playing for KwaZulu-Natal against Namibia at Chatsworth in 2012/13, as the Cobras faded away to end on 141 for seven.
That handed Imraan Khan’s side a positive start to the campaign, which is being hosted in a bio-secure environment in the coastal city. The match also concluded the day one programme, which was a double-header that began with the Momentum Multiply Titans thumping the VKB Knights by six wickets earlier in the day.
The Dolphins too impressed on day one, although it was their bowlers who shone more following a modest display with the bat.
Only Zondo managed to find his range after the hosts kept losing wickets regularly. They had two run-outs in the first nine overs as Grant Roelofsen (0) and David Miller (16) failed to make their ground.
Corbin Bosch (1/31) and Mahami also struck to leave the Dolphins on 63 for four just after half way.
Zondo, though, proved to be the dangerman as he tucked into the bowling, with the Cobras’ 25 extras proving to be the second top-scorer.
Mahami did make merry at the end – all his victims caught in the outfield trying to go big – as the youngster ended with a four-for.
The chase began well for the Cape side as they progressed to 70 for one thanks to new captain Tony de Zorzi (39) and Kyle Verreynne (29), the pair putting on 69 for the second wicket.
But they then lost four wickets for four runs to all but drop out of the hunt, before Christiaan Jonker’s unbeaten 41 add respectability to the scorecard.
CSA T20 Challenge 2021 Match Three
A sizzling half-century in the Durban heat from Rassie van der Dussen together with seven shared wickets between Kagiso Rabada and Sisanda Magala helped the Imperial Lions make a strong start to the Betway T20 Challenge with a four-wicket win over the Dafabet Warriors on Saturday.
Wandile Gwavu’s team, champions of the competition when it was last played, bowled first after losing the toss but managed to dismiss their opponents for 157 at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.
Seamer Magala was their most successful bowler with four for 37, but Proteas speedster Rabada was the man that impressed most with his three for 23.
National team-mate Van der Dussen then blasted 64 off 41 balls (3 fours, 4 sixes) to lead the Lions’ charge that ended with them crossing the line with four deliveries to spare.
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The margin of victory could have been even greater for the Johannesburg-based side had they not went through a wobble late during the chase.
They were in control for most of the contest, though, especially after pulling the Warriors back following a fast start provided by Jon-Jon Smuts (14) and Gihahn Cloete (18).
But from 34 for none after four overs, Rabada’s pace then rattled the Eastern Cape side as they lost quick wickets to slump to 36 for three.
Wihan Lubbe (22), who was rattled by a bouncer from the paceman that struck his head, and captain Sinethemba Qeshile (33) did lead the recovery – the Warriors reaching 107 for four at one stage.
But they fell to the excellent Bjorn Fortuin (1/18) and Beuran Hendricks (1/29) respectively, before Magala returned to mop up the tail, the innings ending with the 10th wicket falling from the final delivery.
The Lions lost Ryan Rickelton (5) and Reeza Hendricks (11) early, before Temba Bavuma (40) and Van der Dussen rebuilt with a 64-run second-wicket stand. The latter and Delano Potgieter (17) followed that by adding 58 for the next wicket to put the chase well on track.
However, the two set men fell to Aya Gqamane (3/20) to threaten a late twist, but Fortuin struck nine quick runs to ensure there was no Warriors comeback as Gwavu’s men sealed victory early in the final over.
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