Solid Van den Bergh, impeccable all-round Potgieter set up another Lions win in a low-scoring Momentum One Day Cup contest.
After being sent in to bat first on a difficult surface, a fabulous bowling display from the Lions took them to their second win in as many games.
Ryan Rickelton provided the promising start, but three quick wickets suddenly put the Lions in a spot of bother.
A 129-run stand between Nicky van den Bergh and Delano Potgieter was pivotal, rescuing their side from a precarious 47/4 to a more competitive total. Potgieter was the more aggressive of the two, slamming 5 fours and a six en route to a spirited 57, while van den Bergh solidly held the fort at the other end, reaching a respectable 73 from 92 (9 fours).
Mthiwekhaya Nabe was the pick of the Warriors bowlers, claiming 4 wickets, including both the set batsmen. JJ Smuts chipped in with 3 wickets of his own, as the Lions folded for 210.
It was a similar start to the innings for the Warriors, as Lesiba Ngoepe looked confident and wickets fell around him. However, a strong team effort with the ball prevented the Warriors from recovering from the early blows.
Wihan Lubbe top-scored with 42, adding 52 with Aya Gqamane, and that was the highlight of the Warriors innings. Things ended rather quickly afterward, and they finished at 168 all out.
Eldred Hawken, Sisanda Magala, Malusi Siboto, and Delano Potgieter all took two wickets each. This was a commendable, collective performance, and a testament to the Lions’ depth this season. Potgieter is continuing to emerge as an allrounder with plenty of potential, as he was on the fringes of the franchise circuit last season. Magala may have missed out on a Proteas call-up, but is continuing to impress domestically.
The Warriors will play the Cobras in three days, and both teams are in search of a much-needed win. Stay tuned!
Lions 210 (van den Bergh 73, Potgieter 57 – Nabe 4/31, Smuts 3/40)
Warriors 168 (Lubbe 42 – Potgieter 2/19, Siboto 2/26)
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Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
