We wrap up the first weekend of Mzansi Super League fixtures.
Jozi Stars vs CT Blitz.
The opener of the MSL 2.0 saw a rematch of the inaugural final but at the Bullring this time. Both teams fielding an abundance of talented and experienced players. The team from the Cape were put into bat after Jozi Stars skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss. The Blitz were certainly in a blitzering mood with Janneman Malan taking the bull by the horns. It was a collective batting effort with Quinton de Kock scoring 35, quick fire cameos from Liam Livingstone and George Linde and the star of the show Malan ending unbeaten on 99 to power the CT Blitz to a 213-3, their highest total of the MSL.
The Stars from Jozi started off well with Reeza Hendricks staring for his side. He scored 80 until the star with the ball, Dale Steyn, for the Blitz dismissed him. Steyn ended with 3/25 on an absolute belter of a pitch.
Jozi Stars posted 198/5 and lost by 15 runs.
Durban Heat vs Tshwane Spartans
Rained out
Paarl Rocks vs Cape Town Blitz
It was time for the local derby at Boland Park with Paarl Rocks hosting their neighbours, the Cape Town Blitz.
The home side won the toss and chose to bat first in the blazing Paarl heat. The home side posted 170/9 in their allotted 20 overs and would’ve felt they were about 15-20 runs too short. Despite all the starts with Faf du Plessis 38, Dwaine Pretoius 34, the Blitz bowlers never let them settle. George Linde was the pick of the bowlers claiming 3 for 23 and Anrich Nortje 3/31.
Chasing down 171 to deny their neighbours down for victory the Blitz got off to possibly the worst start and never settled. Wickets kept tumbling. The highest score came from George Linde’s bat who scored 15.
Hardus Viljoen was the man of the match for his figures of 2/9 with Tabraiz Shamsi ending with figures of 3/16 and Bjorn Fortuin 2/13.
They got bowled out for 84. A disappointing second game for the Cape but a deserved win for Paarl who won by 86 runs.
Nelson Mandela Bay Giants vs Jozi Stars.
Farhaan Behardien scored 48 and Heino Kuhn 47 steered the NBM Giants to 167-7. The fire- powered Jozi Stars could only manage to score 143 – losing by 24 runs and are yet to buy a win despite Reeza Hendricks registering his second fifty in as many games.
