MODC Qualifier to be replayed
The Momentum One-Day Cup Qualifier between the Knights and the Warriors had to be abandoned due to a dangerous pitch at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.
The match will now be replayed from scratch on Monday.
There were 28 overs bowled in the game, with the visitors reaching 88/3 in difficult conditions, before umpires Adrian Holdstock and Allahudien Paleker, in consultation with match referee Barry Lambson, decided to stop the game.
The umpires then spoke with the captains Pite van Biljon and Jon-Jon Smuts before ending the match.
It means all those involved in the match will have to do it all again on Monday, which is the reserve day, with the clash due to be played as a day-night affair starting at 14h00.
The event technical committee will also meet later today to decide what will happen should the pitch be still deemed dangerous on Monday.
For the record, the Warriors had won the toss and opted to bat first, but found scoring extremely difficult, particularly against the quicker bowlers.
Dillon du Preez was the stand-out performer with his sevens overs reading a remarkable 2/11, including four maidens. His wickets included Jon-Jon Smuts, who took an uncharacteristic 36 balls for his 14 runs, and Colin Ingram (7).
Gihahn Cloete was the other man to fall, when he was dismissed by Mbulelo Budaza (1/13), after taking 77 deliveries to make 30.
The Free State Cricket Union has issued an apology for the state of the surface that read: “On behalf of Free State Cricket Union we sincerely apologise for the Momentum One Day Cup play-off match between the Knights and Warriors being abandoned due to an unfit playing surface, after 28 overs.”
“To the visiting team, Cricket South Africa, the sponsors (Momentum) our loyal supporters and team sponsors we sincerely apologise.
“The match will be replayed tomorrow 27 March 2017 at Mangaung Oval starting at 2pm. Entrance to the stadium will be free.”
The winner of the match is due to meet the Titans in the final at SuperSport Park on Friday.
Latest
-
NewsBrendon McCullum hoping to help England Test team lose ‘fear of failure’
The former New Zealand captain is looking to improve a record which has seen England win just one of their last 17 Tests.
-
NewsBrendon McCullum: England can be the nation to reverse Test cricket’s fortunes
The former New Zealand captain has been appointed head coach of the England Test team.
-
NewsMatthew Mott: Andrew Symonds came close to playing for England over Australia
The then-teenager was offered a place on the England A tour of Pakistan in 1995 after scoring four centuries for Gloucestershire.
-
NewsStephen Eskinazi stars in record-breaking Middlesex win over Gloucestershire
Paul Stirling made the first century of the Vitality Blast season for Birmingham Bears.
-
NewsOllie Robinson’s England hopes scuppered by back problem
The seamer was plagued by persistent back issues during the Ashes series and missed all three matches against the West Indies.
-
NewsJustin Langer blames politics for Australia exit and laughs off England links
Langer was linked with one of the two vacant posts with England.
-
NewsHe deserves to be there – England’s Matthew Potts backed to shine in Test arena
Potts has received his first international call-up for the squad to face New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.
-
NewsOn this day in 2015: Trevor Bayliss appointed England head coach
The Australian leapfrogged initial front-runner Jason Gillespie to replace the sacked Peter Moores.
-
NewsAndrew Strauss sets five-year goal for England men’s side to rule all formats
The former England captain and director of cricket is overseeing a high performance review into English cricket.
-
NewsShane Warne to be remembered during England’s Test with New Zealand at Lord’s
The former player and TV pundit died aged 52 on March 4 after a suspected heart attack.