Match 26, Port Elizabeth, February 22, 2022, 06:00 PM
Knights
164/6(20.0ov)
Rocks
161/2(20.0ov)
Knights beat Rocks by 3 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
CP Klijnhans
Commentry
That’s it from this game then! Two games to follow on Wednesday, 23rd February and the action begins at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). Western Province will take on Dolphins in the first game of the day. Later in the day, Warriors will lock horns with North West Dragons and this clash begins at 6 pm IST (12.30 pm GMT). Although, the buildup begins a lot before. Do join us for all the action. Till then, goodbye and take care.
Pite van Biljon, the victorious skipper of Knights, says that he is happy to win this game. Adds that they showed great character in this game. Tells that their batting has been a concern for them and a team can't win games if they lose so many wickets in the Powerplay. Mentions that they will get back to the drawing board and work on all the three departments. Says that they have some quality players in their ranks and they'll be looking to back the young players.
Ziyaad Abrahams is the BOWLER OF THE MATCH. He says that he was trying to do the basics right and it worked out well. Adds, he just wanted to keep it simple. Also says, they wanted a win but it did not go their way and he hopes they can do well in the semis.
CP Klijnhans is the BATTER OF THE MATCH. He says that he wanted to bat deep as possible. Adds that this tournament is a big learning curve for him and he will take a lot of positives from this.
... THE PRESENTATION ...
The bowling was good for most parts. Knights struggled to pick wickets but did not let the Rocks score freely and whenever the game seemed to be slipping away, they managed to get the breakthrough. Gregory Mahlokwana was probably the pick but Alfred Mothoa and Nealan van Heerden were also really good. The key was Knights held their nerve when it mattered the most and came out on top. They end their season on a high.
For most parts though, Rocks seemed in control of this chase. First, the Malan brothers got them off to a sedate start. However, then came the stand which turned the tide in their favor between Pieter Malan and Clyde Fortuin. The two played brilliant and got it down to just around 10 per over in the last 5. Clyde fell but Malan continued along with Christiaan Jonker. They needed 11 from the last over but failed to get over the line. The skipper, Pieter Malan will be disappointed as he could not get his team over the line after batting for the whole of 20 overs.
What a last over that was! Defending 10 runs in the last over against two dangerous batters and Alfred Mothoa has come out on top. Just the second win for the Knights and they have ended the hopes of Rocks finishing in the top two.
In over# 20
1
1
1
2
1
1
Alfred Mothoa 33/0(4)
19.6
1
Alfred Mothoa, take a bow! This has been a brilliant over by him under pressure! A yorker-length ball, on middle. Pieter Malan looks to slog but it goes off the inside edge towards fine leg for a run. Knights win the match by 3 runs!
19.5
1
Excellent delivery under pressure! A yorker, on middle. Christiaan Jonker squeezes it out towards long on for a single. 5 runs needed off the last ball now!
19.4
1
A full ball, angling in from middle. Pieter Malan flicks it straight to the man at deep square leg. Only a single.
19.3
2
An overpitched ball, around leg. Pieter Malan drags it to deep square leg and comes back for the second run this time.
19.2
1
Into the blockhole, on off. Christiaan Jonker digs it out towards long off and takes a single. 9 runs needed of 4 balls.
19.1
1
A low full toss, on middle. Pieter Malan drags it towards deep mid-wicket and manages only a run.
In over# 19
4
1
1
1
0
1
Gerald Coetzee 36/0(4)
18.6
4
FOUR! That spoils a good over now! Gerald Coetzee looks for a yorker but ends up serving a full toss, outside off. Christiaan Jonker pulls it in front of square and bags a boundary. 11 runs needed off 6 balls.
18.5
1
On a length, outside off. Pieter Malan looks to heave it away but he gets an inside edge onto his pad. The batters cross for a single. 15 runs needed off 7 balls now. A very crucial delivery coming up...
18.4
1
Another ball, full and outside off. Christiaan Jonker drags it to extra cover for only a single.
18.3
1
Top effort from the fielder. A full ball, on off. Pieter Malan drills it through the mid off region. The fielder there moves across, dives to his left and keeps it to just one.