Superb start sets Cobras up for win
ALSO INSIDE Latest on Keagan Dolly, P28 Ultra Trail Cape Town, P30 Stokes stirs Ashes, P31 withdrew due to a dog biting his hand, did their job up front to reduce the Warriors to 26/2 at the end of the powerplay.
Customarily a positive start with both bat and ball in T20 cricket is enough to comfortably win the game.
Yet for long periods at Boland Park it was the Cobras who were sweating, and not just due to the hot and humid conditions.
That was largely due to Colin Ackerman refusing to let a ground record chase – that was seemingly always out of reach – just drift away.
He certainly tried to match Amla’s 52 off 36 balls with a 44-ball 55 of his own. It kept the visitors in the hunt until he was caught on the mid-wicket boundary by Aviwe Mgijima off Dane Paterson at the end of the 18th over.
But ultimately the difference between the teams proved to be George Linde’s cameo earlier in the day. The Cobras all-rounder, who was surprisingly promoted to No 3, took full advantage of his elevationby blitzing 52 not out off just 30 balls (3x4, 2x6).
The lanky left-hander played with the type of freedom that eluded many of his accomplished teammates and certainly looks to be a useful joker for Prince and the Cobras to have up their sleeve as the competition progresses.
Linde was not so good with the ball on the night, but did manage to pick up the dangerous Colin Ingram for 38 (30 balls, 1x4, 2x6) just when the Glamorgan star was looking to accelerate.
The Cobras have moved up to second position on the log after the Highveld derby between the Lions and Titans last night was washed out at the Wanderers. This was the second wash-out for the Titans within a week.