The Paarl Rocks secured a six-wicket victory over the Jozi Stars at the Bullring to stay in contention for a playoff spot in the Mzansi Super League.
The Rocks won the toss and elected to field first, getting off to a fantastic start with the dismissals of dangermen Reeza Hendricks (five off seven balls, one four) and Chris Gayle (nine off six balls, one six) at the top of the order.
Kerwin Mungroo was sensational with the ball as he bagged both openers before finishing with a brilliant 3-29 in his four overs.
After the Stars posted just 39-2 in the powerplay, Rassie van der Dussen unleashed with the bat and smashed his way to 83 not out off 55 balls – including six fours and four blistering sixes – that got the home crowd on their feet.
Dwaine Pretorius’ cameo of 28 off 17 balls (two fours, one six) at the tail end of the innings saw the Stars post a competitive 170-6 in their allotted overs.
The Paarl Rocks – looking for a win to stay in contention for the play-offs – also lost two wickets in the powerplay as Duanne Olivier got rid of openers Cameron Delport (15 off nine balls, three balls) and Aiden Markram (three off six balls) within two deliveries in his first over.
Heat captain Faf du Plessis and Grant Thomson found themselves having to consolidate the innings and their shot-filled 120-run stand for the third wicket had the Jozi Stars bowlers stumped.
Grant Thomson needed only 38 balls to get to his half-century before Du Plessis joined him at the landmark, requiring just 28 deliveries to do so. The two batted beautifully as they put the Heat in a commanding position after 15 overs – needing a near run-a-ball 34 more runs to win off the last five overs.
Du Plessis would have been disappointed not to see his team over the line as he was dismissed for a superb 61 off 34 balls (seven fours, two sixes) in the 16th over.
Olivier came back into the attack after a brilliant opening spell and finished with 3-30 in his four overs to join Jeevan Mendis (Tshwane Spartans) as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
Dwayne Bravo (17 off 10 balls, two sixes) and Thomson took the Rocks over the line with Thomson hitting the winning runs – finishing with a match-winning 71 not out off 55 balls (five fours, one six) to secure the six-wicket victory.
The result secures Cape Town Blitz a home final as they are now untouchable at the top of the table.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
