We wrap up the fourth weekend of the Mzansi Super League 2.0 fixtures, which saw the Paarl Rocks go top of the log.
Tshwane Spartans vs Paarl Rocks, Friday 29th November
Paarl Rocks got off to a promising start but once the openers fell it was all downhill from there. Lack of partnerships and regular wickets by the Spartans restricted them to a below-par score.
Paarl Rocks were bowled out for 126 in 19.4 overs with Cameron Delport (25) and Faf du Plessis (19) the top scorers. Roelof van der Merwe picked up 3/15 in his 4 overs with Morne Morkel (2/22) and Lungi Ngidi (2/25) the next best contributors.
Bjorn Fortuin was the pick of the bowlers for the Rocks with figures of 1/21 including a maiden over. But AB de Villiers’ unbeaten 69* and Heinrich Klaasen’s 36* in a 73-run partnership sealed the deal as the Spartans won by 8 wickets with a bonus point.
PLAYER MOMENTS: AB DE VILLIERS LIGHTS UP SUPERSPORT PARK
Durban Heat vs Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, Saturday, 30th November
An explosive start by Jason Roy and Ben Dunk got the Giants off to a flyer, they were 66-0 after the powerplay but the introduction of Keshav Maharaj saw him take 3/15 n his 4 overs.
Jon-Jon Smuts (54) began the fightback with a 48-run partnership with Ryan ten Doeschate and a 42-run stand with Marco Marais, who scored an unbeaten 25 off 11 to steer them to 173-6.
Wesley Marshall departed early but Wihan Lubbe got Durban Heat off to a flyer with 31 off 11 balls before Alex Hales continued to keep the runs flowing with a 41. David Miller’s unbeaten 50 and Ravi Bopara’s quickfire 18* off 8 balls powered the Heat to a 6-wicket win.
The race to the playoffs is heating up for sure.
PLAYER MOMENTS: DAVID MILLER HITS MAIDEN MZANSI SUPER LEAGUE HALF-CENTURY
Jozi Stars vs Paarl Rocks, Sunday 1st December
Reeza Hendricks top-scored for the Stars with (74) and Shoaib Malik’s fireworks (20 from 8 balls) guided their side to a defendable 171-3. Isuru Udana 2/29 and Tabraiz Shamsi 1/25 were the only wicket-takers.
Kagiso Rabada got Jozi Stars off to a good start claiming three of the top order’s wickets early. That left Paarl in trouble on 53/4 but Sibonelo Makhanya’s unbeaten 63 steered his side to a 5-wicket win with 4 balls remaining.
PLAYER MOMENTS: SIBONELO MAKHANYA KEEPS PAARL ROCKS ON TOP
Cape Town Blitz vs Tshwane Spartans, Sunday 1st December
David Bedingham’s (53) and Janneman Malan’s (36) led the Cape Town Blitz to a below-par 157-5 in 20 overs. Lungi Ngidi (2/30) and Wiaan Mulder (1/17) were the pick of the bowlers.
Cape Town Blitz kept their playoff hopes alive after restricting Tshwane Spartans to 142-7 in 20 overs. Pite van Biljon (62) and AB de Villiers (31) top-scored.
Dale Steyn deserves full accolades for his 3/10 n 4 overs as they seThey won by 15 runs.
PLAYER MOMENTS: DAVID BEDINGHAM, DALE STEYN SEAL CRUCIAL WIN FOR CAPE TOWN BLITZ
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
