Eastern Cape Iinyathi produced a compelling performance in their four-wicket victory over the Knights in the CSA T20 Knockout tournament at Buffalo Park Ground on Saturday.
It was the Iinyathi’s second successive win and means they remain unbeaten in the competition after three games. Their first match was abandoned due to rain.
The Knights could only post 110 for seven, which the Iinyathi chased with 23 balls remaining. The East London side ended on 113-6.
The wickets column in the chase is something members within the Iinyathi team said they were disappointed with.
Some felt they lost the wickets too casually.
The Iinyathi started the pursuit of the Knights’ target at a rapid pace, with openers Nathan Roux and Christian du Toit going at almost 10 runs an over in the first five.
They reached 40 before they lost the wicket of Du Toit (12) to Ross Boast.
That first wicket opened the floodgates after the powerplay.
In the eighth over, Proteas spinner Dane Piedt accounted for the scalp of Roux (32 off 26 balls), caught at long on by Ruben du Toit and trapped Jason Niemand leg before wicket for a golden duck.
Piedt continued with his merry spell and claimed his third wicket, that of Michael Copeland (3), also caught at long on but by Patrick Botha this time around, leaving Iinyathi 77-4 in the 10th over.
Mncedisi Malika and Wian Ruthven stood resolute and combined for a 22-run stand to move the home team close to the target.
With Iinyathi one run short of three figures, they lost the wicket of Ruthven for 37.
Jan Coetzer had a short stay at the crease, but Malika (20 not out) and Alindile Mhletywa carried the side over the line.
Piedt (26), Cole Abrahams (31) and Gerrit Snyman were the major contributors with the bat for the Knights after Iinyathi won the toss and elected to field.
Thozama Totona, who was on debut, took two wickets, together with Mhletywa while Coetzer, Kgaudi Molefe and Thando Ntini took a wicket apiece.
Iinyathi next face the Eastern Storm in Benoni on Monday.
Daily Dispatch
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