KZN Inland take Africa T20 title at a canter
KWAZULU-NATAL Inland are the new Africa T20 champions after a dominant display in the semi-finals and finals of the competition that was decided at the Diamond Oval this long weekend.
The KZN Inland team powered their way to a six wicket victory in the final against Free State after restraining their opponents in their 20 overs. Free State were in trouble early on, losing two quick wickets in the opening two overs.
Andries Gouws, who had powered the Free Staters into the final after a brilliant 101 not out against Namibia will count himself unlucky after being run out without facing a delivery in yesterday’s match.
There was no let up from the KZN team and Free State’s woes continued when they found themselves at 15/3 after four overs.
There was a brief glimmer of hope when skipper Patrick Botha and opener Karabo Mogotsi steadied the ship somewhat, taking the score to 80 before Botha was out, caught for a well played 38, after he and Mogotsi put on 68 runs for the fourth wicket.
Mogotsi went on to a solid 42 not out and Raynard van Tonder contributed 26, but the other batsmen didn’t contribute much, and Free reached 73/3 at a run rate of 7.3, still requiring 35 runs from 43 balls.
The Pietermaritzburg team romped to 129/4 with 13 balls left thanks mainly to good knocks by Kushen Kishin (22), Grant Roelofsen (33), Sarel Erwee (19) and Kyle Nipper (38 not out).
The action in Sunday’s semifinal encounters was no less thrilling with KZN Inland taking care of the Gauteng challenge on Sunday morning and running out victors by eight wickets.
Gauteng struggled throughout their innings ending their 20 overs on a disappointing 110/8. The best of the KZN Inland bowlers was undoubtedly left arm spinner, Nduduzo Mfoza with his 3/23 runs in his allotted four overs.
In reply, thanks to a fine 67 not out by SJ Erwee, the lads from Pietermaritzburg cruised to an eight wicket win with 32 balls to spare.
The afternoon fixture, between Namibia and Free State saw Namibia scoring a mammoth 165/3, at a run rate of 8.3 runs to the over.
Jen Bredenkamp (71 not out from 53 balls), Lohandre Louwrens (39) and Craig Williams (39) made life difficult for the Free State attack.
In reply, Free State started off at a brisk pace and after the first five overs had raced to 36/0. Thanks to that brilliant century by Gous (101 not out, from 48 balls) and Mogotsi’s 60 not out Free State cantered to victory and into the final by 10 wickets, with 15 balls to spare.
After such a dominant performance, the central region team will most likely be disappointed at their showing in yesterday’s final.