All-round Du Plooy puts Free State in semis
Leus du Plooy starred with bat and ball as the Free State Team completed a brilliant turnaround to reach the Africa T20 Cup semi-finals with a 62-run demolition of rivals Northern Cape at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Sunday.
The Bloemfontein side, who had to win the game in order to top Pool C, won in style by dismissing the hosts for just 77 in 16.4 overs after first posting 139/6.
Du Plooy was the backbone of the Free State innings with his maiden T20 50 – the youngster ending unbeaten on 50 (41 balls, 2 fours) after his side lost the toss and were sent in to bat first.
Andries Gous (25) and Raynard van Tonder (20) also got starts, enabling their side to set a competitive 140 for victory.
Werner Coetsee (2/13) and Patrick Kruger (2/22) managed two wickets apiece.
Northern Cape fell into some early trouble on seven for two after a wicket each for Corne Dry (1/7) and Shadley van Schalkwyk (1/12).
Top-scorer Keegan Petersen (26) gave them some home when he took them to 50 for two at one stage.
But Du Plooy’s outstanding spell of four for 15 ripped through the middle and lower order, giving the home side little chance.
Patrick Botha (2/22) offered good support to dismiss the Cape side with over three overs remaining.
Victory with the bonus-point ensured Free State, who lost to Kenya on the opening day of the group on Friday, ended ahead of the African side with 10 points to progress to the last four.
Latest
-
NewsJack Haynes and Brett D’Oliveira star as Worcestershire thrash Essex
The openers enjoyed a partnership of 243 runs for the visitors.
-
NewsDom Bess in ‘good place’ and feels ready to play Test cricket without pressure
The spinner is ready to deliver if involved in the upcoming series and is excited for the Ashes too.
-
NewsOn this day in 2003: Nasser Hussain stands down as England Test captain
Hussain said he felt “tired and stale” and wanted to focus on his batting.
-
NewsWorcestershire make it two in a row with 11-run victory over Gloucestershire
Opener Jack Haynes led the way with 59 off 61 balls with seven fours and a six.
-
NewsTom Westley and Essex have their sights set on Royal London Cup silverware
Essex, who won the domestic Twenty20 competition in 2019, have only two players in The Hundred.
-
NewsMatt Parkinson stars at Manchester Originals have Birmingham Phoenix in a spin
The England leg spinner’s four for nine set up the victory for Jos Buttler’s side.
-
NewsHaseeb Hameed hundred helps Nottinghamshire defeat Warwickshire
Essex and Lancashire remain perfect in Group Two after two games.
-
NewsHundred organisers hit out at ‘unacceptable’ abuse
Players have been targeted since the launch of cricket’s new format.
-
NewsJoe Root admits friendship will be set aside against Ben Stokes in The Hundred
The England pair face off with Trent Rockers and Northern Superchargers on Monday.
-
NewsLocal hero Jonny Bairstow stuns Headingley with impressive Welsh Fire knock
Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batsman Bairstow, captaining the Fire, hit 56 from 36 balls in The Hundred clash.