Morne van Wyk and Khaya Zondo’s half-centuries spoilt the Cape Town Blitz’s celebrations after securing a home final as they led the Durban Heat to a six-wicket win, writes KHALID MOHIDIN from Newlands.
The table-topping Blitz, led by their Proteas Marquee signing Quinton de Kock, posted 161-6, a respectable total.
Despite the Cape Town Sevens being in full swing, Newlands still managed to produce a decent crowd, and De Kock entertained the faithful with an exquisite 58-ball 86, including nine fours and three sixes. One of those sixes and two fours came against the world’s No 1 spinner Rashid Khan, when he took the 20-year-old on with beautiful reverse sweeps.
The rest of the runs came from the Blitz’s middle order, Asif Ali (18), Farhaan Behardien (17) and Mohammad Nawaz (23).
De Kock lasted the full innings, but fell just short of his second hundred of the tournament.
With the Durban Heat already knocked out of the tournament and playing for pride, they put up a decent fight despite losing two wickets for 39 runs in six overs.
But Van Wyk kept the heat on the Blitz. He scored 56 off 48 balls and was well-supported by Zondo as the visitors surpassed the 100-run mark. Van Wyk lost his scalp towards the ends of the 16th over.
It was up to Zondo and David Miller to take their side over the line.
Zondo took his side within one from victory before losing his wicket after a 41-ball 61 (four fours, three sixes), but the Heat still managed a consolation victory by a comfortable six wickets with three balls to spare.
Photo: Bertram Malgas/Gallo Images
