Match 28, Port Elizabeth, February 23, 2022, 06:00 PM
169/5(20.0ov)
159/9(20.0ov)
North West Dragons beat Warriors by 10 runs
That’s it from this game then and it is time for the knockout stages. Titans will take on Dolphins in the first semi-final and it will be Western Province against Rocks in the other semi-final. The action will begin at 1:30 pm IST (8 am GMT) on Friday, the 25th of February. But the build up will start much earlier. Do join us there. Till then, Adios!
Nono Pongolo, the skipper of North West Dragons says that it has been a disappointing tournament and had their expectations high. He adds that they had a brilliant start but lost the ploy a bit and especially the game against Rocks was a turning point but they wanted to win today and put on a good performance. He mentions that the format is new and no game is a dead rubber, so they wanted to go out and play every game and win and they shocked a few of the big boys as well. He adds a lot of youngsters in their side got a shot and he is happy that they played well as a team.
Lwandiswa Zuma is the Bowler of the Match. He says they knew every game counts and he was happy to help the team. he just backed his instinct and is happy to come out on top. Tells momentum is what they want and although they are out of the competition, they needed this win.
Heino Kuhn is the Batter of the Match. He says that he keeps the youngsters going in the field and enjoys his fielding. He adds that this match could be for a place in the playoffs but he is happy for the guys and they did an excellent job. He mentions that it is disappointing not to make it through but they have some exciting individuals who are coming up the ranks.
... The Presentation ...
Earlier it was Heino Kuhn's inning of 78 and a late finish from Senuran Muthusamy helped them post a total of 169. The pitch dried up and that just help them to defend it out.
Warriors did give a fight till the end. The pitch got hard to play on and it was visible with the way the Warriors were batting. At the top of the order, only Lesiba Ngoepe counterattacked while others were struggling. Warriors were 6 down for 100 but then came the vital partnership between Rudi Second and Sinethemba Qeshile. Both went bonkers and played with freedom. They took the game till the very end but at a very wrong time gave a wicket, their thinking was perfect to hit a few lusty blows but in the process, hold out. They did their best but some support from the top order would have helped them to chase this target.
So, North West Dragons end the tournament with a win. Not the best of bowling performance from them as they let the lower order wag the tail and the opposition almost took the match away from their jaw. It was the penultimate over from Duan Jansen that sealed the deal for them. One thing they did well was to take wickets at regular intervals but at the fag end, one partnership almost took the game away from them. That was not the case though.
In over# 20
1
2
1
1
0W
1
Dwaine Pretorius 15/2(3)
19.6
1
That's it, North West Dragons have kept their nerve and win the final match of the group stage. Full, on off. Mnyaka drives it to long on for a single. North West Dragons WIN BY 10 RUNS!
19.5
2
This is banged in short, around leg. Akhona Mnyaka looks to pull but gets a top edge which goes fine and the man from fine leg cuts it off. Two taken.
19.4
1
A full toss, on leg stump. Tsepo Ndwandwa flicks it down to fine leg for just a single.
19.3
1
Full and straight, jammed out to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Akhona Mnyaka is the last man in.
19.2
W
OUT! Cleaned up! Slower one, on top of middle. Kyle Jacobs makes room to cut it away but gets undone by the lack of pace. Jacobs misses and the ball hits the top of middle stump. Dwaine Pretorius has his second wicket and almost seals the game for his side. 16 needed off the final 4 deliveries.
19.1
1
On middle, this is lifted towards fine leg for a single.
Excellent over from Duan Jansen. Despite going for runs, he has removed both the set batters. Tsepo Ndwandwa is the new man in. 17 needed off the last over.
In over# 19
0W
4
0W
4
4
0
Duan Jansen 43/2(4)
18.6
W
OUT! TAKEN! That should be the game then for North West Dragons! What an eventful penultimate over this has been from Duan Jansen! Full and straight, Rudi Second backs away and looks for the big hit over long on but only manages to find Wesley Marshall on the fence, who takes another simple catch. 17 needed off the final over with two new batters in.