Match 3, Port Elizabeth, February 08, 2022, 01:30 PM
136/6(20.0ov)
125/5(20.0ov)
North West Dragons beat Highveld Lions by 11 runs
So that is it from this game. The action continues as we have another game coming up shortly. Knights will take on Dolphins at 6 pm IST (12:30 pm GMT). So join us early for the build-up as well. Till then, Cheers!
Nicky van den Bergh, the skipper of North West Dragons says that the last three overs were very important, they had something to bowl at, but the target was still low. Says that the seven bowlers he used made it easy for them, and they all did their job well. States that they did not bat well especially in the powerplay. But they bowled well. Adds that they still have a lot to work on, but they will take this win. Concludes by saying at the wicket was slow and the spinners had a lot to offer on it.
Mitchell van Buuren is the Batter of the Match. He says that he did bat well, but could not get over the line. Adds that they did give away too many runs at the end, but they could have chased it down, but they did not bat well.
Johannes Diseko is the Bowler of the Match for his incredible last over and overall a good bowling performance. He says the score was not ideal but as a team, they defended well. Mentions that he just tried to bowl wicket to wicket and he thanks the staff and other players who have helped him.
... The presentation ...
Feel for Mitchell van Buuren who stayed till the end but had no company from the other end. The target was a lower one but there was no support whatsoever for him. Only three players had a double-digit score but in the end it was not enough for the defending champions to get a victory. The wicket of Shane Dadswell was the turning point as till then, Highveld Lions were looking like they will chase it with ease.
Top, top bowling performance from North West Dragons. Johannes Diseko in particular took two crucial wickets but also had to defend 19 off the last over and he did his job perfectly. The target was below par but North West Dragons did really well to take the game till the end. Their bowlers bowled accurately and gave no chance to the opposition to score freely. Nicky van den Bergh used seven different bowlers and all did really well to keep the pressure up. In the end, it was the final over from Johannes Diseko where he defended 19 runs with ease.
In over# 20
1
1
1
2
1
1
Johannes Diseko 17/2(4)
19.6
1
Another one in the blockhole! This is top stuff from Johannes Diseko in the last over! A yorker-length delivery, around off. Mitchell van Buuren drills it towards cover for a single. North West Dragons win by 11 runs!
19.5
1
Very full again on middle. Sisanda Magala lofts it towards long on for a run.
19.4
1
In the blockhole! A yorker, around middle. Mitchell van Buuren pushes it towards long on for a single.
19.3
2
Edgy runs! Very full, outside off. Mitchell van Buuren tries to squeeze it this over, but the ball goes off the inside edge towards fine leg for a brace.
19.2
1
Fuller again, on middle. Sisanda Magala backs away and lifts it towards long on for a single.
19.1
1
A loopy ball, outside off. Mitchell van Buuren pushes it towards cover for a single.
Change. Johannes Diseko to bowl the final over. 19 needed of it.
In over# 19
1
0
1
4
1
1
Duan Jansen 24/0(4)
18.6
1
DROPPED! That probably would have been the game for North West Dragons! A fuller ball, outside off. Mitchell van Buuren drives it straight to cover. Dwaine Pretorius is stationed there, but fails to grab the ball. One taken. 19 runs needed of the last over!
18.5
.
Fuller in length, outside off. Mitchell van Buuren shuffles across and looks to sweep this away, but misses.
18.4
1
Yorker-length delivery, wide of off. Sisanda Magala squeezes it out towards deep cover for a single.
18.3
4
FOUR! CRUNCHED! Very full, on middle. Sisanda Magala clears his front foot and tonks it over the bowler's head for a boundary.