SWD edge out Easterns
South Western Districts edged Easterns by a nail-biting 6 runs to join fellow winners Namibia on 4 points after the completion of day one of the Africa T20 Cup Pool A competition at Willowmoore Park on Friday.
Namibia nevertheless lead the pool on superior net run rate.
SWD, put into bat after losing the toss, managed to compile a competitive 146/5 from their 20 overs thanks in the main to the contribution of Hendrik Kotze (38 off 28 balls, 6 fours) and Letlohlo Sesele (43 off 42 balls, 2 fours and a six). The pair laid the foundation with Sesele eventually being dismissed off the last ball of the innings.
Armand Erasmus, playing in only his second T20 match, had the best bowling return of 2/8 in 2 overs.
Easterns lost vital early wickets in their reply being 3 down for 43 midway through the 8th over but Grant Thomson produced a captain’s innings of 50 (42 balls, 4 fours and a six) and got useful assistance down the order from Matthew Arnold (36 not out off 24 balls, 2 fours and 2 sixes) that so nearly got Easterns home.
It was only after Thomson was dismissed with 27 still needed off 13 balls that SWD could have felt they were nearly home. Nevertheless, Arnold made it uncomfortably close at the finish. Arnold could only manage 8 off Sammy Mofokeng’s final over instead of the 15 that was required.
Glenton Stuurman took an excellent 2/17 and he was well supported by George Linde (1/18) and Dane Paterson (1/28).
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