Warriors crush Highveld Lions
Sisanda Magala led an outstanding bowling performance by the Warriors to set them up for a thumping six-wicket bonus-point win over the Highveld Lions as the new MODC season began in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
The seamer picked up three for 28 in eight overs after the visitors won the toss and opted to bowl, a decision that proved to be the correct one as the hosts were shot out for just 209 in 39.5 overs.
Warriors captain Jon-Jon Smuts then hit an unbeaten 70 (70 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes) and shared in an unbroken 131-run stand with Christiaan Jonker (55 off 60 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes) – a franchise record for the fifth wicket – to take their side to victory with 13 overs to spare.
It was an emphatic start to the competition for last season’s losing finalists and it was all set up by the bowlers at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium.
Magala was tasked with opening the bowling and delivered a key performance as the Lions were pegged back at regular intervals.
There was an outstanding supporting cast too in the form of Ayabulela Gqamane (2/34) and franchise debutant Clayton Bosch (2/36).
However, the Lions only had themselves to blame after losing their way first from 70/1 and then from 162/4.
Dwaine Pretorius top-scored for them with an unbeaten 77 (62 balls, 7 fours, 3 sixes), but he lacked support throughout.
The Warriors then slumped to 79/4 in their reply after Hardus Viljoen (3/57) did some early damage, but Smuts, batting in an unfamiliar middle-order position rather than his regular opening slot, and Jonker took them home.
Their partnership for the fifth wicket beat the previous mark of 111 between Jacques Kallis and Davy Jacobs against the Cape Cobras in 2009/10.
Latest
-
News
England Women wrap up 4-1 series victory in New Zealand
Heather Knight top-scored with 35 in England’s chase of 137.
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.