Warriors match called off due to dangerous pitch

THE Momentum One-Day Cup qualifier between the Knights and Warriors had to be abandoned due to a dangerous pitch at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein yesterday.

It will be replayed from scratch today as a day-night affair starting at 2pm.

The event technical committee was due to meet late yesterday to decide what will happen should the pitch still be deemed dangerous today.

There were 28 overs bowled in the game, with the Warriors reaching 88/3 in difficult conditions, before umpires Adrian Holdstock and Allahudien Paleker, in consultation with match referee Barry Lambson, decided to stop the game.

The umpires then spoke to the captains, Pite van Biljon and Jon-Jon Smuts, before ending the match.

For the record, the Warriors won the toss and opted to bat first, but found scoring extremely difficult, particularly against the quicker bowlers.

Dillon du Preez was the standout performer with his sevens overs reading a remarkable 2/11, including four maidens.

His wickets included Smuts, who took an uncharacteristic 36 balls for his 14 runs, and Colin Ingram (7).

Gihahn Cloete was the other man to fall, when he was dismissed by Mbulelo Budaza (1/13), after taking 77 deliveries to make 30.

The winner of the match will play the Titans in the final at SuperSport Park on Friday.