Janneman Malan’s 57 helped the Cape Town Blitz post 175-6, which they defended to clinch a 12-run win against the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants at Newlands, writes KHALID MOHDIN.

It was a satisfyingly vibey night at Newlands on Wednesday night as 3 000 merry Newlands faithful cheered their team on as the Cape Town Blitz walked out to bat under lights.

The home side posted a respectable 175-6, kick-started by another Blitz youngster – Janneman Malan – who hit his second T20 half-century. The 22-year-old’s 39-ball 57 (10 fours, one six) set the platform for the Cape Town-based side, but similarly to the previous match against the Durban Heat, there was no support for the star batsman.

The Blitz innings was beefed up through cameos from Andile Phehlukwayo (28 off 22 balls) and Aasif Ali (22 off 11 balls), with an 11-ball 17 from Farhaan Behardien tipping the Blitz past 150.

They ended with a defendable total that befitted the capabilities of their well-balanced bowling attack.

The Giants had a slow start, losing two wickets for 13 runs courtesy of Dale Steyn, before their innings was revived through some lusty hitting by Ben Duckett and Heino Kuhn.

The pair steadily went about their business, before a technical issue with the floodlight reduced the visitor’s innings to 16 overs. This pushed Duckett to force the issue and he sliced a drive out to long off as a result, losing his wicket on 23.

Kuhn, despite getting a belting Steyn bouncer into the side of his helmet, went on to score 55 before he was run out strangely by Malusi Siboto.

Hussain Talat took a brace to dismiss Chris Morris and Christiaan Jonker in the middle of the 14th over, as the Blitz smothered their visitors.

The victory gave the Cape Town team a perfect start with their third win of the campaign.

Scorecard 

Photo: Thinus Maritz/Gallo Images