A 120-run partnership between NW Dragons all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy and wicket-keeper, Khanya Cotani was the turning point in the Dragons’ 17-run win against Western Province in their opening CSA One Day Cup match at the J.B. Marks Oval on Friday, 11 March.
The Dragons looked overwhelmed, batting first when they found themselves on 88/6. But the calm and collected Muthusamy stood tall and played the best one-day knock of his career to reach his first 100 in list A cricket.
Muthusamy needed a batting partner to support him and Cotani played the perfect foil with a well-constructed 41 (63). Their partnership gave the Dragons a chance and shifted the momentum against a Western Province team that was frustrated after having the Dragons on the ropes. The Dragons eventually scored 243/9 in the 50 overs.
WP’s top bowlers were Mihlali Mpongwana with 3/31 and Kyle Simmonds with 2/36. The Dragons’ strong point this season has been their bowling and, once again, they delivered early breakthroughs to give themselves a chance at victory.
Delano Potgieter (2/30) bowled beautifully, removing the dangerous Richard Levi (2) and Tony de Zorzi (5) early on. WP’s left-handed opener, Jonathan Bird (116 off 126) was the standout star for his side and almost managed to win the game single-handedly, but the NW Dragons’ Protea, Dwaine Pretorius (3/40) got the crucial wicket for his side.
Pretorius’ leadership on the field also kept the Dragons calm in pressure situations, with his death bowling sealing the win with the final wicket of the game – fittingly caught by the man of the match, Muthusamy, to end WP’s resistance on 226 all out.
NW Dragons’ head coach, Craig Alexander, was pleased with his side’s start to the competition and the fight the team showed through-out the match against Western Province.
“The 120-run partnership between Khanya and Senuran was vital in the context of the match. The communication during the match was also really good, especially when bowling. Having a Proteas player like Dwaine (Pretorius) on the field also helps a lot with the communication and strategy on the field,” added Alexander.
Another promising aspect for Alexander has been the ability of the youngsters to step up when the senior players miss out. “It’s good that the junior players do their part; it keeps the senior players on their toes. It’s good for the overall performance in the squad.”
The Dragons’ regular captain, Nicky van den Bergh, will miss out on the rest of the season due to injury. So far, Nono Pongolo and Heino Kuhn have fulfilled the captaincy role in his absence. Alexander’s side will take on the Dolphins at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday, 18 March, in their third match of the competition. The Dragons’ second match of the campaign against EP Warriors was rained out last Sunday.
“We should be full strength ahead of the match against the Dolphins in Durban. We are looking forward to that one,” said Alexander.
The Dragons take on the Dolphins at 13:00 on Friday, 18 March.
