CSA T20 Challenge - Western Province unbeaten; Rocks slip up

St. Georges Park delivered on another day of enthraling cricket at the CSA T20 Challenge. The two Western Cape unions we’re back in action today, with the team from the Winelands under some pressure. Their loss in the derby on Monday put them on the back foot going forward in the completion.

QDK skips Rocks

The GbetsRocks were on track to get their first set of log points against the Titans in the CSA T20 Challenge but experienced a wobble at a crucial time. A wobble they couldn’t recover from.

Rocks captain Janneman Malan won the toss on the morning of the third day of play at St. Georges Park. Malan sent the Titans in to bat first, and it took them nearly 14-overs before getting the first of only two scalps.

The men from the Boland were knocked about by a classy Gihan Cloete and the superb Quinton de Kock. The two Titans openers shared a 106-run stand before the GbetsRocks finally got the breakthrough.

Cloete, who has featured in two T20-Internationals for the Proteas, was this first to fall. His impressive partnership with De Kock was brought to an end by Zakhele Qwabe. QDK was the other wicket to fall.

However, he already did his job, being removed with the second last delivery of the innings.

Paarl-lights

The Malan brothers got the Rocks off to a great start, with Janneman keeping his side in the running. While the two brothers were both back in the hut just five balls and two runs apart from each other, Michael Copeland kept the match alive.

The Boland outfit, unfortunately, couldn’t find an answer for Junior Dala. The paceman claimed a couple of quick wickets to see the GbetsRocks fall just 3-runs short.

GAME 1 RESULT | @Titans_Cricket WON BY 3 RUNS

A well-balanced performance with bat and ball sees Theunis de Bruyn's men grab victory in a thriller on Day 3🔥 #CSAT20Challenge #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/fBRbq5KjKb

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 9, 2022

WP stay in the winner’s circle

It was a battle for back to back victories in the afternoon game, as both the Western Province and Warriors came out on in their respective opening matches on Monday.

Warriors captain Sinethemba Qeshile won the toss and opted for a bat first, with the Warriors openers putting pressure on George Linde and Beuran Hendricks early on in the innings. The captain, Wayne Parnell had to step in to help steady the ship.

Two very neat overs from the skipper brought about two quick wickets.

Though the Western Province were more successful than their Boland counterparts with the ball upfront, they couldn’t land the knockout blow. The home side kept themselves in the match through Wihan Lubbe and Lesiba Ngoepe. Their 56-run stand was brought to an end after Ngoepe got caught on the boundary after a fast-paced knock.

WP broke through Warriors defences one more time, but they couldn’t stump the run-rate to under seven an over. In fact, the EP-men upped the tempo.

Lubbe in control

It was the 29-year old opener’s day. A couple of things went his way, but he cashed in for a controlled 59-ball 69. That helped his side to 163, equalling the highest total in the tournament so far.

The Warriors also made 163 against the Titans on Monday.

Record-breaking chase

Facing the task of chasing a total that has never successfully been chased at St. Georges in a CSA T20 Challenge encounter; WP showed little fear. Richard Levi was vintage once again, racing to 40 off just 17 deliveries. On the back of that, opener Jonathan Bird contributed 39 before losing his wicket.

At that stage, the Western Province were already in a favourable position. They needed a run a ball with a little more than ten overs to play.

Proteas George Linde and Dane Vilas both put in classy cameos to see WP over the line. The two enjoyed knocking the ball about, notching up a 65-run partnership en route to a massive 7-wicket victory. Thus, Province becomes the first team to maintain their unbeaten record in the CSA T20 Challenge.

GAME 2 RESULT | @WP_Blitz WON BY 7 WICKETS

A strong batting performance seals the victory for the men in blue🔥#CSAT20Challenge #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/Qv3yu0OtkY

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 9, 2022

The win for WP also maintained a trend for matches played in the day at the ground. It was the tenth game in a row that saw the team that wins the toss going on to lose the match.