Cobras get back on track

The Cape Cobras ended their concerning run of poor form when they edged out the Highveld Lions by six runs in their RamSlam T20 Challenge match in Paarl last night.

Having lost their first three games, the Cobras posted a mediocre 145/7, which would have been far worse were it not for the contributions of Proteas stars Hashim Amla (42 off 35) and JP Duminy (54 off 49).

Kagiso Rabada was outstanding with the ball for the Lions, taking two for 20 in his four overs, while Hardus Viljoen and Wiaan Mulder also picked up two wickets apiece and were economical.

The Cobras would have been seriously worried as they went into the last five overs of the Lions innings with Rassie van der Dussen leading them to 96 for two with his 44-ball half-century.

But Van der Dussen then fell to the impressive Mthiwekhaya Nabe and the Lions suffered a troubling meltdown with Rory Kleinveldt dismissing the dangerous duo of Dwaine Pretorius (17) and Mangaliso Mosehle (22) in the penultimate over and Ferisco Adams then bowling an excellent final over as the visitors finished on 139/6.

In Bloemfontein, veteran all-rounder Ryan McLaren used all his experience to steer the Knights to a four-wicket win, with two balls to spare, over the Warriors. Chasing 156 to win, McLaren provided crucial impetus as he belted 31 off 18 balls, finishing off the good work started by David Miller (48 off 37).

Jon-Jon Smuts was the best of the Warriors bowlers, removing both Miller and fellow Protea Theunis de Bruyn (22), while conceding just 33 runs in his four overs.