Dwayne Bravo’s 3-22 and 84 from Cameron Delport sealed a qualifier spot for the Paarl Rocks as they beat the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants by six wickets, writes KHALID MOHIDIN from Boland Park.
The Paarl faithful were treated to a masterful bowling performance from their men in purple. On a slow pitch the Giants posted just 129 in their 20 overs.
Dwayne Bravo was effective with the ball in the middle overs and finished with 3-22 that included the wicket of the Giants’ top scorer on the day, Rudi Second, for 37. He also removed the talented Marco Marais (20) and the experienced Heino Kuhn (four).
With a target of 130, the Rocks did well to restrict the visitors, despite Chris Morris’ 10-ball 27 (three sixes, one four) pushing his side from 111-7 to 129-8.
A bonus-point win for the Paarl Rocks would guarantee their qualifier spot, but in order to do so, they would need to chase down their 130-run target within 16 overs.
It was a slow start that saw the hosts score 37 in the power play. They lost Henry Davids in the fourth over for 12, followed by Faf du Plessis in the eighth over for six.
Delport upped the ante in the 11th over, when he hit two sixes and a four to take the hosts to 72-2 in 11 overs.
The 29-year-old anchored his side’s innings, reaching his half-century in 33 balls. He built a 78-run partnership with Aiden Markram (14), who supported the Rocks opener.
Delport continued to power his side into the qualifier. He smashed a total of five sixes and seven fours for his 45-ball 84. He then was dismissed in the 15th over by Sisanda Magala with his side still needing 11 to win. Bravo followed for a duck, Magala picking up his second.
The Rocks needed nine off the 16th over to seal a bonus-point win and David Wiese’s eight off two balls (one six) helped them clinch the contest.
Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
