The Free State Knights were far from being the better side in the rain-affected second semi-final against the North West Dragons in Kimberley, but were granted a spot in the final due to their superior overall run-rate throughout the whole tournament. 

With the Dragons well on their way to securing a comfortable victory, chasing just 130 in 19 overs, it was the rain that brought the curtains down on their demise as a “no result”, which was deemed as the only viable outcome.

For the Knights to have won on the DLS, they had to bat beyond the opening five overs, which they weren’t able to do as the skies opened in the third over – granting the unbeaten Knights with a lucky escape. 

The Dragons almost – and should’ve – caused theirsecond upset victory in as many days after beating the Rocks against all odds yesterday.

The North West side started like a house on fire with the bat, and were well-placed on 42-0, with Wesley Marshall and Eben Botha sharing the spoils, having been on 20* and 21* at the stoppage, and subsequently the close of the game.

Earlier, the Knights failed to gain any ascendency with the bat and looked as they lacked the confidence needed to take their innings on. Even the likes of on-form veterans Farhaan Behardien and Rilee Rossouw looked to be shell-shocked.

Rossouw was dismissed for just 15, after having already survived a drop catch earlier, while Behardien was sent for a meager three runs. 

Following the top-order collapse, the Knights batted frantically and were lacklustre, especially, as proverbial as it may be, with the dark clouds looming.

After the first innings rain break, the side only managed to post 127-7, with Pite van Biljon (29) and tail-ender Gerald Coetzee (29) as the top-scorers. But that only just proved to be enough on a day that may be stirred with controversy.

Eldred Hawken took fine figures of 3-37, while SenuranMuthusamy accumulated a sublime economy rate of 3.00, backed up by decent figures of 2-12.

The Knights managed to get out of jail thanks to their lucky fortune, but they are set to play a stern contest against the Dolphins in the final in Kimberley tomorrow.