Easterns sealed a 5-run win in a thriller final against Kwa-Zulu Natal Inland in the CSA Provincial T20 Cup.
The stage was set for a fantastic final between two entertaining teams.
KZN Inland went into this final high in confidence after beating a strong Eastern Province side in the semis.
We all know how hard it has become to win T20 games when you have been sent in to bat first, but the men from KZN defied the odds and won convincingly in the semi-final.
Their captain, Cody Chetty, and the veteran in Robbie Frylinck stood out in this tournament, showing the value of experience when it comes to these big tournaments.
Grant Thomson’s men went into the final of the tournament fresh from a huge nine-wicket victory over Border in the semi-final. Wesley Marshall and Jurie Snyman have been crucial for the Easterns throughout the tournament.
The final got underway in Willowmoore Park, Benoni. KZN Inland won the toss and sent the Easterns in to bat first. The opening pair of Marshall and Yaseen Valli scored at over 10 runs an over to give their side a great platform.
They put on a partnership of 118 runs before Valli (47 off 31 balls, 6×4, 1×6) lost his wicket off the bowling of Luke Schemmler (1-14 in 2 overs).
Marshall went on to record a career-best 87 off 53 balls, which included 9 fours and 2 sixes at a strike rate of 164.15.
After a tough opening spell, Kerwin Mungroo (3-25 in 4 overs) made a brilliant come-back to reduce the Easterns to 178-6.
In reply, KZN Inland posted 173-4 in their 20 overs.
Chetty and Roelofsen continued their brilliant opening partnership when they posted 102 runs before the KZN Inland captain, Chetty (48 off 35 balls, 6×4, 1×6), was undone by a Dyllan Matthews delivery.
Roelofsen went on to make a career-best 79 off 49 balls, a knock which included 4 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 136.20.
Matthews, Matthew Arnold and Imran Manack picked up a wicket apiece but Jurie Snyman’s economical spell of 0-18 in 3 overs was as important.
The Easterns won the match by 5 runs and they are the Champions of South Africa’s Provincial T20 circuit.
This was a very close encounter, there was barely a difference between these two teams in the Final.
Here are some graphics (Worm & Run-Rate Graph) to give you a picture of the close this final was:
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
