Farhaan Behardien blitz ensures home final for Titans
Farhaan Behardien lit up East London on the final day of the CSA T20 Challenge group stage on Sunday (December 11) with a 14-ball half-century to send Titans through to the final. In a rain-curtailed thrilling encounter on Sunday (December 11), Titans edged out Warriors by six runs to finish on top of the table that has ensured that they will play the tournament's final at their home - SuperSport Park, Centurion - on December 16.
Even though Titans lost their openers cheaply in the five-overs-per-side contest, Behardien went on a rampage to guide his side to 80 for 2. He hit five sixes and four fours to finish unbeaten on 55 off 15 deliveries.
Warriors openers Jon-Jon Smuts and Colin Ingram started off in fine fashion, scoring 19 off the first over. Even though Junior Dala got rid of Smuts in the following over, the boundaries kept coming as they reached 53 in three overs. Needing 28 from the final two, the chase fizzled out in the fourth over bowled by David Wiese as he got rid of Ingram and conceded only six runs. Titans will now host the final for the second time in a row.
Brief scores: Titans 80/2 in 5 overs (Farhaan Behardien 55*; Basheeru-Deen Walters 1-4) beat Warriors 74/2 (Christiaan Jonker 26*; David Wiese 1-6) by 6 runs.
Cobras vs Lions, Paarl
A disciplined bowling performance from Lions helped them overcome Cobras by 22 runs to finish third on the points table. They have made it to the qualifier on Tuesday where they will face Warriors.
Defending a modest 140, Lions got rid of the two South Africa regulars Hashim Amla and Jean Paul Duminy early with Dwaine Pretorius accounting for both of them. Even though Richard Levi kept going at the other end, Lions kept chipping away. Legspinner Eddie Leie broke through their middle order with a terrific spell as he picked up four wickets in succession. After dismissing Dane Vilas, he got rid of the big fish Levi for 41 before sending back Wayne Parnell and Aviwe Mgijima. West Indian allrounder Kieron Pollard provided Cobras small hope after striking a six but Bjorn Fortuin dismissed him to signal the end.
Earlier, opener Rassie van der Dussen scored a measured half-century to guide Lions to 139 for 8 in their allotted overs. He added 61 with Mangaliso Mosehle but Parnell and Tshepo Moreki picked up three wickets each to peg them back. In the end, 139 proved to be too much for Cobras.
Brief scores: Lions 139/8 in 20 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 56, Mangaliso Mosehle 31; Wayne Parnell 3-22, Tshepo Moreki 3-26) beat Cobras 117 in 19 overs (Richard Levi 41; Eddie Leie 4-22, Dwaine Pretorius 2-14) by 22 runs.
Knights vs Dolphins, Durban
Knights ended their disappointing campaign with a consolation win over Dolphins in another rain-curtailed encounter at Kingsmead in Durban.
With the match reduced to eight overs per side, Knights predictably opted to bowl after winning the toss. While Dolphins were looking for quick runs, Knights kept striking at regular intervals to deny momentum to their opposition. Dillon du Preez bowled an excellent spell and conceded only nine runs in his two overs and picked up the big wicket of skipper Morne van Wyk. With the top four departing for single digit scores, Dolphins were staring at a poor total before Khaya Zondo struck three sixes in his unbeaten 8-ball 22 to guide them to 59.
Knights made light work of the chase despite losing Rudi Second in the very first over. Patrick Kruger and skipper David Miller added 60 to chase down the revised target of 65 with two overs to spare. Despite the victory, Knights finished at the bottom of the table, two points behind Dolphins.
Brief scores: Dolphins 59/5 in 8 overs (Khaya Zondo 22*; Mbulelo Budaza 2-13) lost to Knights 68/1 (revised target 65) in 6 overs (Patrick Kruger 34*, David Miller 18*; Mthokozisi Shezi 1-8) by 9 wickets.
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