The first week of the CSA T20 Challenge has been nothing short of action, with the World Sports Betting Western Province currently placed third on the log standings with only one loss after four matches.
A look at their opening matches:
Hollywoodbets Dolphins vs World Sports Betting Western Province – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
A brilliant spell of seam bowling by new Proteas star, Nandre Burger, helped World Sports Betting Western Province claim a thrilling two-run win on the opening night of action in the 2023/24 CSA T20 Challenge.
The fast bowler conceded a miserly 13 runs in his fine four-over exhibition as the Cape side overcame Hollywoodbets Dolphins at Hollyboodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. Other strong performances with the ball by Kyle Simmonds and another new South Africa face, Mihlali Mpongwana, played a key hand in the final outcome.
The former claimed two for 18 in four overs and the latter, who also made the national squad this season though he has yet to play, took two for 22 to restrict the hosts to 146/7 chasing 149 on the east coast.
In fact, both all-rounders played a key hand in scrambling their side to a first-innings score of 148/8 after they won the toss and batted.
Mpongwana hit 22 and Simmonds notched up 24, with the pair two of only three players to cross the 20-mark along with top-scorer Jonathan Bird (40) – their side eventually escaping with a narrow win.
World Sports Betting Western Province vs AET Tuskers – WSB Newlands, Cape Town
WSB Western Province made light work of seeing off AET Tuskers by seven wickets at World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground.
After winning the toss and batting, the KwaZulu-Natal side limped to 115/7 with lower-order pair Keith Dudgeon (26) and Alindile Mhletywa (24) heavily relied on.
As they did on Friday, Kyle Simmonds (2/20) and Nandre Burger (2/22) again did the business, supported well by Mtiwekhaya Nabe (2/28).
Jonathan Bird then plundered an unbeaten 61 off just 33 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes) to lead his side to a bonus-point win with 45 balls to spare.
World Sports Betting Western Province vs Auto Investments North West Dragons – WSB Newlands, Cape Town
World Sports Betting Western Province narrowly overcame Auto Investment North West Dragons by four runs in Cape Town.
Jonathan Bird and Kyle Verreynne both hit 42s to propel the home side to an impressive 188/7 after they were put in to bat first at World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground.
Recently-capped Proteas Test all-rounder Ruan De Swardt was the pick of the bowlers with 3/23.
Rubin Hermann’s express 90 off 54 balls (9 fours, 4 sixes) had then set the Dragons on the victory part. Supported by Raynard Van Tonder (34) and Wihan Lubbe (20), the away side were cruising on 167 for three needing 21 from the last two overs, before Beuran Hendricks (2/28) struck a double blow that saw them finish short on 184/6.
DP World Lions vs World Sports Betting Western Province – DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg
DP World Lions’ Kwena Maphaka helped the hosts to a thrilling Super Over win after he defended 10 to help his side edge out previously unbeaten World Sports Betting Western Province in a rain-hit clash in Johannesburg.
Batting first after winning the toss, Province ended on 127/9 with Lutho Sipamla (2/20) and Codi Yusuf (2/28) claiming two wickets apiece. David Bedingham (37) top-scored for the Cape side, who were seeking a fourth win in four at the DP World Wanderers Stadium.
Chasing a revised 52 in seven overs, the Lions could only get to 51/3, forcing the match into a one-over shoot-out. Wayne Parnell took the ball for the visitors and managed to restrict Ryan Rickelton (1*) and Evan Jones (8*) to just 10 – one run was a bye.
Maphaka proved to be slightly better and ensured Kyle Verreyyne (5*) and George Linde (4*) could only get nine for their side, sealing a famous win for the home side.
Photo by Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
