Jozi Stars beat the Heat

Ken Borland

The 4 474 people who went to the Wanderers on a cool evening for some Mzansi Super League cricket had more than enough compensation for their time and money as the Jozi Stars dispatched the Durban Heat by 53 runs in thrilling fashion last night.

While a brilliant century by Reeza Hendricks, that led the Jozi Stars to the highest total in the competition thus far – 230/3 – and a devastating first over from Kagiso Rabada destroyed the match as a contest, as the home side dished up highly entertaining fare.

Hendricks batted through the innings after Jozi were sent in to bat, ending with 104 not out off 51 balls. He began his innings somewhat edgily, but nine fours and six sixes spoke volumes for the quality of his strokeplay thereafter. He handled the Durban Heat’s two international spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Brandon Mavuta, particularly well.

The Proteas’ rising star received great support from fellow opener Ryan Rickleton (45 off 33), Rassie van der Dussen (37 off 21) and Dan Christian (36 off 15) as the Durban seamers endured a torrid time.

None more so than Tladi Bokako. He did get Van der Dussen out in the end, but not before the new Proteas cap hit him for four successive sixes in the 14th over, which went for 30 runs.

The Durban Heat chase was then derailed right at the outset as Rabada, steaming in from the Golf Course End, took three wickets in the sensational first over. Hashim Amla edged the second ball over slip and the third to the man behind the wicket, the experiment with Keshav Maharaj failed as he squeezed his second delivery to backward point and Heinrich Klaasen was then bowled through the gate first ball by an absolute thunderbolt.