Right then. That is all from this game as the Lions have shown us why they are one of the title contenders this time around and have won 3 out of 3 games and are on the top of the table too! The action in the CSA T20 Challenge, 2021 moves on as on Wednesday, 24th February 2021, we have another double-header lined up. The first game between the Titans and the Warriors will begin at 1000 local (0800 GMT) and the clash between table-toppers, Lions and Dolphins, will follow it at 1430 local (1230 GMT). We hope to have your company for both games. Until then, cheers!
The BATSMAN OF THE DAY is skipper, Temba Bavuma. He starts by saying that the conditions were tricky, to be honest, not a typical T20 wicket and they had to adjust their plans a bit. Tells that their experiment with Dwaine Pretorius didn't work and when he walked in, it was all about seeing the team home and playing percentage cricket. Shares that winning with the bonus point was there in the back of their minds but to him, the executive decision was to win it rather than taking any risks. Mentions that the aggression they have shown with the bat is not exactly what they have shown in the past and things haven't been too smooth for them. It's all about adapting at the moment and making sure that you take the team over the line, Temba adds. States that it's a luxury to have such a bowling arsenal but you still need to be able to mix and use them at the right time. Hopes that individually all the bowlers stay hungry. Bavuma would love to make it 4 in 4 and he feels that there is still scope for improvement in their batting.
The BOWLER OF THE DAY, Sisanda Magala is up for a chat! Says that he is very happy that they won and it's a good momentum for them. Adds that it's going really well and he just keeps on ticking all the boxes and tries to execute his plans. Tells us that it's an important game for them on Wednesday. Shares that people around him are really helpful and you take their suggestions as a reference, what to do and what not to do, and it's all about keeping things simple and backing yourself.
Earlier in the day, a batting implosion by the Knights saw them get bowled out for a measly score of 106. Farhaan Behardien and Ferisco Adams tried their best but failed to make the most of it. With the ball, Sisanda Magala was on fire as he got his career-best figures, 4-0-20-5. Overall, they were brilliant with the ball first and followed it up with the bat and the Lions deservedly have won this game. However, they would have loved to take that extra point. We will have to wait and watch whether that costs them later in the tournament or not.
A refreshing bowling show by the Knights. They were not at their best with the bat but they did well with the ball in hand. They snared 2 quick wickets early on and looked like they were pushing the Lions on the back foot. The Knights kept bowling tight lines and lengths to not allow the batters to run away with the game. But with the total being so low, it was not going to be easy and in the end, they were not able to hold out. Having said that, stopping the Lions from taking the bonus point can be taken as a plus point.
An easy win in the end for the Lions. They took their time but have comfortably won this game by 7 wickets and have also won 3 out of 3 games so far. They started off poorly as they lost 2 quick wickets inside the first 3 overs but the slow and steady stand between Temba Bavuma and Reeza Hendricks (worth 93 runs), where Bavuma also reached his fifty, ensured that they completed the win without breaking much of a sweat.
HIGHVELD LIONS
110/3 (18.1)
53* (47)
47 (48)
2/19 (4)
0/13 (2)
Over 19
4
Rassie van der Dussen*
5 (3)
Temba Bavuma
53 (47)
Patrick Kruger
0/8 (1.1)
HL
110/3
4
18.1
Patrick Kruger to Rassie van der Dussen ,FOUR! THAT'S THAT! Rassie van der Dussen completes the formality! Patrick Kruger goes for a back of a length ball around off and middle, van der Dussen just whacks this one over the square leg region and into the ropes in the deep. HIGHVELD LIONS WIN BY 7 WICKETS!
Over 18
0
1
W
0
1
6
Temba Bavuma*
53 (47)
Rassie van der Dussen
1 (2)
Alfred Mothoa
0/22 (4)
HL
106/3
6
17.6
Alfred Mothoa to Temba Bavuma ,SIX! High and handsome goes the little man. Full in length and on middle, Bavuma leans into it and launches it over long on for a biggie. FIFTY FOR BAVUMA! Scores tied.
1
17.5
Alfred Mothoa to Rassie van der Dussen ,Once again van der Dussen brings out the drive and pushes it to mid on for one.
0
17.4
Alfred Mothoa to Rassie van der Dussen ,Full and outside off, Rassie drives it off the outer half of his bat to point.
Rassie van der Dussen is in next to finish the formalities.
W
17.3
Alfred Mothoa to Temba Bavuma ,OUT! RUN OUT! Hendricks is short of the crease. A length ball around off, shooting off the surface after landing, Bavuma is taken by surprise and edges it down towards short third man. They attempt for a single and Snyman comes up with a direct hit at the striker's end. The third umpire is referred and Reeza has been given his marching orders.
Appeal for a run out! It's referred upstairs...
1
17.2
Alfred Mothoa to Reeza Hendricks ,Very full and on middle, Hendricks flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 8 more needed.
0
17.1
Alfred Mothoa to Reeza Hendricks ,Short and wide outside off, slower in pace, Reeza reaches out and pushes it off the bottom end to covers.
Change in bowling. Alfred Mothoa is back on.
Over 17
1
4
2
4
0
1
Reeza Hendricks*
46 (46)
Temba Bavuma
47 (45)
Gerald Coetzee
2/19 (4)
HL
98/2