Gihahn Cloete’s 80 helped the Tshwane Spartans clinch a one-run victory against the Paarl Rocks, writes KHALID MOHIDIN.
A powerful batting performance from the Tshwane Spartans saw them smash the first 200-total of the tournament. Surprisingly for the vistors, they only needed a came0 32 off 18 balls from their captain AB de Villiers. It was Warriors star Gihahn Cloete who helped blast the Spartans to 203-5.
Cloete led from the front, smashing 80 off 49 balls (11 fours, one six) and was aided by Proteas Test batsman Theunis de Bruyn who contributed a 38-ball 66 (nine fours, two sixes) for their 101-run partnership.
Dwayne Bravo’s introduction stemmed the runs for the hosts, dismissing De Bruyne, De Villiers and Rilee Rossouw (duck) to knock them down four wickets for 184 in 17 overs. Dane Paterson, who went for 45 runs, was responsible for the dismissals of Cloete and Dean Elgar (nine).
The Paarl Rocks, had a shaky start, losing two wickets as Cameron Delport battled to keep his side’s chase alive. Andrew Birch and Robbie Frylinck were in the wickets, dismissing Michael Klinger and Rocks’ stand-in skipper Henry Davids.
Wickets continued to fall as Jeevan Mendis took the wickets of Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Bravo on either side of the key wicket of the in-form Delport, who was dismissed by Lutho Sipamla (1-37) after a crucial 43-ball 73 (four fours, five sixes).
The run out of Grant Thomson bumped the Spartans into the driving seat at 169-6 (17.2 overs).
A crucial smashing from Mangaliso Mosehle on the second last over, saw the wicket-keeper batsman smash two fours and a six to bring the game to the wire.
With the home side needing 13 off the last over, it was a superb piece of fielding from Elgar that saved his side a maximum, as the Rocks only managed 12 runs to lose by one run.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
