Bottom of the log teams Durban Heat and Paarl Rocks were frustrated by heavy rain that caused three delays before the match was reduced to nine overs per side, with the Rocks going to on claim victory by 32 runs.
Durban Heat sent Paarl Rocks in to bat and the opening pair of Henry Davids and Aiden Markram got the innings off to a great start, despite two rain delays. Both batters struck a six as they raced to 47-0 off 5.3 overs.
The third rain interruption left Davids not out on 23 off 16 balls (2×4, 1×6, S/R 143.75) and Markram on 24 off 17 balls (1×4, 1×6, S/R 141.17).
Davids faced the first eight balls after the resumption, hitting four boundaries and scoring 23 runs off those eight balls, before being bowled off the next ball by Marchant de Lange for 46 off 25 balls (4×4, 3×6, S/R 184.00).
The next over from Kyle Abbott brought eight runs and the wicket of Markram for 29 off 20 balls (2×4, 1×6, S/R 145.00). Faf du Plessis scored 12 off the last three balls of the innings as the Rocks raced to 98-2 off their nine overs.
Facing a stiff target of 113 at a rate of 12,5 runs to the over, the Heat lost Hashim Amla first ball to a skidder that trapped him leg before. Bjorn Fortuin picked up the wicket and added Temba Bavuma off the fifth ball of the first over, caught by Du Plessis at extra cover for four.
Heinrich Klaasen was out in the third over for two and Khaya Zondo followed for a golden duck four balls later, trapped leg before by Tshepo Moreki’s first delivery to leave the Heat despairing at 25-4 after the first ball of the fourth over.
Dangerman David Miller was looking good before he fell, caught Du Plessis, at long off for 22 off 11 balls (3×4, 1×6, S/R 200.00) from the last ball of Moreki’s first over. Two golden ducks and two two-wicket overs had swung the balance heavily in the Rocks’ favour, but the Heat was still in with a chance with Albie Morkel and Vernon Philander at the crease.
The task proved too great, and Morkel was caught behind off Tabraiz Shamsi for 11 off nine balls. Philander (19 not out off 14 balls, 2×4, 1×6) and Keshav Maharaj (16 not out off 10 balls, 3×4) did their best to move the score along, but they couldn’t prevent their side from losing by 32 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method.
Fortuin ended with figures of 1-6 off his one over, and Moreki 2-18 off two overs as the Paarl Rocks leaped from bottom spot on the log to third place, thanks to their second win of the tournament.
Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images
