The North West Dragons started their 2018 Africa T20 Cup campaign with fiery vigour last weekend, after topping Group D and qualifying for this coming Sunday’s semi-final against Gauteng.

The Dragons claimed victories against Nigeria (10 wickets), Boland (11 runs) and Limpopo (102 runs), before losing to Northern Cape (5 wickets). In a tough group, North West had to top the group to qualify for the semi-finals, which they duly did, thanks to some notable performances.

Shane Dadswell smashed the Nigerian bowlers to all parts in a splendid knock of 98 (34), which included 7 fours and 10 sixes. Wihan Lubbe, with 172 runs, is the Dragons’ top run-getter in the competition with the experienced wicketkeeper, Nicky van den Bergh just behind on 142 runs with an impressive average of 142.
On the bowling front, Jovaun van Wyngaardt (3 wickets at an economy rate of 4.63), Johannes Diseko (5 wickets at an average of 15.8) and newcomer Migael Pretorius (5 wickets at a strike rate of 15.6) have been the pick of the North West attack.

North West now faces Gauteng in East London this weekend, which promises to be a cracking encounter. Gauteng boasts a couple of big guns in their lineup like the Proteas, Temba Bavuma, Mangaliso Mosehle and Wiaan Mulder. One of Gauteng’s danger men will also be the hard-hitting left-hander, Delano Potgieter.
The Dragons will count on their team unity and the talent at their disposal to carry them through.

Wihan Lubbe’s batting and bowling and the spin of Diseko and Katleho Leokaoke will be crucial to curbing Gauteng’s batting attack.
According to the wicket-keeper Nicky van den Bergh, the team is excited for the semi-final against Gauteng this coming Sunday.
‘It is the inter-franchise derby and it will be a big match.
It’s great to once again play for the Dragons and do my part to get us to the semis,’ he said.