Match 24, Port Elizabeth, February 20, 2022, 06:00 PM
Knights
127/8(20.0ov)
Highveld Lions
130/5(19.1ov)
Highveld Lions beat Knights by 5 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Mitchell van Buuren
Commentry
Right then. That’s it from the coverage of this game. More CSA T20 action coming to you after a day’s break. The action will continue on 22nd February which includes a double-header. In the first game, North West Dragons take on Titans at 1330 IST (0800 GMT). Followed by a game between Rocks and Knights which will start at 1800 IST (1230 GMT). But as you all know, you can join us early for the build-up. Till then, take care and goodbye!
Malusi Siboto, the victorious skipper of Highveld Lions, says that it was a tough game but they will take this win anyways. Mentions that he is happy with the effort from his bowlers. Adds, he is happy with how his players turned up today.
Tshepo Ntuli is the BOWLER OF THE MATCH. He says that he tried to keep things very simple and executed his plans well. Adds that he wasn't thinking much about the result and kept things simple.
Mitchell van Buuren is the BATTER OF THE MATCH. He says that their aim today was only to bat deep. Tells that he wanted to take the game till the end overs and convert it into a victory.
... THE PRESENTATION ...
It was a do-or-die encounter for Knights and they did start well with the ball. They were able to make early inroads and put pressure on Highveld Lions. However, they failed to break the stand between Reeza Hendricks and Mitchell van Buuren and gave away the momentum which they had in the Powerplay. Their spinners bowled really well and kept things tight. It was only in the last 3 overs when they lost the plot and gave away some freebies. Yes, defending 127 was always going to be a tough ask and Knights' bowlers did try everything but to no avail.
At one point, it looked like Highveld Lions will make a mess of this chase after losing a couple of wickets early on, but the pair of Reeza Hendricks and Mitchell van Buuren steadied the ship for them and stitched together a decent stand. Hendricks perished but it was Mitchell van Buuren who made sure that he held one end and in spite of losing partners, he didn't throw away his wicket and took the game deep. Once he got past the 50-run mark, he started playing aggressive shots and ended Knights' hopes of making it to the semi-final.
What an impressive knock this has been from Mitchell van Buuren! He has held his nerve and single-handedly taken his side over the line. The Lions do end their tournament on a high. Knights' bowlers gave it their all but in the end, they suffered a defeat and are now out of the semi-final race as well, with one more game to go.
In over# 20
4
CP Klijnhans 4/0(0.1)
19.1
4
FOUR! Here come the winning runs! Short ball, on off, Mitchell van Buuren hangs back and pulls it through sqaure leg for a boundary.
In over# 19
2
1
4
2
6
4
Migael Pretorius 33/1(3)
18.6
2
Full length, on the stumps. Juan Landsberg gets under it and lofts it over the bowler's head towards long on. The ball lands safely and the batters take two.
18.5
1
Full length, on middle and leg. Mitchell van Buuren stays back and flicks it aerially to deep mid-wicket for just a single.
18.4
4
FOUR! Mitchell van Buuren moves to 62. A short ball, outside off. Mitchell van Buuren stands tall and slaps it past the diving mid on fielder for a boundary.
18.3
2
Two runs now! A length ball, outside off. Mitchell van Buuren swings hard and lofts it over covers. It lands safely and the batters take two as the fielder in the deep fumbles. 9 runs off 9 balls.
18.2
6
SIX! BANG! A full toss, outside off. Mitchell van Buuren gets low and slog sweeps it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. Highveld Lions are back in the game.
18.1
4
FOUR! This is the start Highveld Lions were after in the penultimate over. Even though it comes off in a streaky manner. A full-length ball, outside off. Mitchell van Buuren swings hard at it. The ball takes the outside edge and flies towards third man for a boundary.
In over# 18
2
0
1
1
1
1
Patrick Botha 12/0(2)
17.6
2
Tossed up, full and on off. Juan Landsberg gets underneath and lofts it towards long off. They take two as the fielder does well to make a stop near the boundary.