Hmmm... yes, the Warriors will watch the Titans' game with interest on Friday. That is the last game of the league stage, and a victory for the Titans against Dolphins, will knock the Warriors out. That game is at 2.30 pm local (1230 GMT). Before that, the Cape Cobras meet the Lions at 10 am local (0800 GMT). The last double header of the competition. Do join us. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Victorious Warriors skipper, Sinethemba Qeshile, is very proud of his boys. Feels that they delivered in all departments. On the 157 by his team, Qeshile says that is the third time the team has made that score and won every time, citing it as a lucky number. Stresses that the unit sets itself good targets and plays positively. On the possibility of victory by a bonus point, Qeshile says that the aim was just to win and execute their plans properly. Rates his team's bowling as the stronger aspect for the side but also feels that the lower order has got them out of trouble many times this season. Admits that he will be watching the Titans' last encounter on Friday, with interest.
Lesiba Ngoepe has been named as the BATSMAN OF THE DAY. Says that the chat in the dressing room was to only be positive. Understands that the team was losing wickets, so he had to take time and then build his innings. Feels that the key here is to know your scoring options. Details that he looked for a good partnership from overs 7-15 because that is where the spinners have taken wickets and that numbers 5-7 in his side have been firing in this tournament. So wanted to give them a good platform.
Mthiwekhaya Nabe is up for a chat. He is the BOWLER OF THE DAY. Nabe says that his plan was to just hit the deck on a good length and bowl slower balls. Puts it down to lots and lots of practice, especially the yorkers. On what he needs to do to keep this form, he says that practice and sticking to one's plans is the only way to go. Rates the first ball of his spell as his best ball of the innings.
The Warriors were excellent with the ball. The pitch suited their bowlers and they just concentrated on bowling good lengths and varying their pace. Everyone bowled well but the duo of Anrich Nortje and Mthiwekhaya Nabe did really well, with combined figures of 8-0-36-5. Broke the armour of the Knights. Please stay tuned for the presentation...
That ends the campaign for the Knights in the 2021 season. 158 was always going to be difficult to chase on this track, that too, in 16 overs and when they lost a wicket on the very first ball, things got even more difficult. Kleinveldt and van Tonder tried to raise a fightback but once their stand was broken, it was a freefall. The Knights slipped from 52/1 to 67/6 and never really recovered. Raynard van Tonder kept fighting, giving his side an outside chance to win at least, but eventually, fell short of runs and partners. That deluge in the middle robbed him off his momentum.
KNIGHTS
143/10 (20.0)
81* (57)
16 (14)
3/18 (4)
2/17 (4)
Over 20
1W
1b
0
2
1
W
Mbulelo Budaza*
0 (2)
Raynard van Tonder
81 (57)
Anrich Nortje
2/17 (4)
KTS
143/10
W
19.6
Anrich Nortje to Mbulelo Budaza ,OUT! BOWLED! The off stump has been sent packing. Full and fast, Budaza swings for the skies but has no wings. Makes no connection and the stumps are a mess. WARRIORS WIN BY 14 RUNS!
1
19.5
Anrich Nortje to Raynard van Tonder ,A short ball, around middle, Raynard looks to pull but gets a top edge. Does not carry to fine leg. A single taken.
2
19.4
Anrich Nortje to Raynard van Tonder ,Short, around off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a couple.
0
19.3
Anrich Nortje to Raynard van Tonder ,A length ball, around off, swung to deep mid-wicket. Understandably, not taking the single. 18 needed from 3 balls.
1b
19.2
Anrich Nortje to Mbulelo Budaza ,Yorker, outside off, Budaza swings hard but misses. An alert van Tonder calls him through for a bye.
Mbulelo Budaza is the last man in.
W
19.1
Anrich Nortje to Raynard van Tonder ,OUT! Mothoa is run out. Sold a dummy down the river. A length ball, outside off, van Tonder looks to pull, but gets a top edge. It lands in front of Marco Jansen at fine leg. Now, van Tonder wants the second and takes off. Seeing that, Mothoa responds but then van Tonder changes his mind. Poor Mothoa has nowhere to go. Easy run out at the keeper's end.
Anrich Nortje to bowl the final over. 3-0-13-1 so far. 19 to defend.
Over 19
1
W
1nb
0
1
1
4
Alfred Mothoa*
5 (3)
Raynard van Tonder
77 (53)
Marco Jansen
2/30 (4)
KTS
138/8
4
18.6
Marco Jansen to Alfred Mothoa ,EDGED, FOUR! The Knights just about alive with that boundary. Full, outside off, Mothoa looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge. The ball races through the slip cordon, which is vacant and reaches the third man fence. 4-0-30-2 for Jansen.
1
18.5
Marco Jansen to Raynard van Tonder ,Outside off, pushed towards point for one.
1
18.4
Marco Jansen to Alfred Mothoa ,Full, around middle, worked to deep mid-wicket for a run.