North West Dragons batsman, Senuran Muthusamy, showed fire under pressure with a superb 60* (29) to take his team to a 4-wicket win against the Lions in their opening match of the CSA T20 Challenge in Potchefstroom on Monday 17 October.
It was anything but plain sailing for the Dragons under bright lights. At 69/4 they seemed to be in a tough position with the run-rate climbing, but soon regained composure. An inspired knock from the current Dragons Player of the Year, Muthusamy, took them over the line with 5 balls to spare.
Muthusamy, who hit 5 sixes and 4 fours in an excellent knock, joined Delano Potgieter (34 off 17 balls) at the crease at 69/4 still needing more than 10 runs to the over in pursuit of the Lions’ 174/6. Together the two put on a solid partnership but Potgieter’s wicket on 114/5 put the game back in the balance.
Photos: Wouter Pienaar
Undeterred, Muthusamy suddenly switched into sixth gear. Taking over the role of enforcer he smashed and stroked the ball to all parts to almost single-handedly win the match for the hosts.
A lofted cover drive for four was a sweet way to take his team to victory in front of a partisan home crowd.
The Dragons though will still need to work on numerous aspects of their game after dropping numerous catches in the field. Lions
Potgieter (2/29) and Eldred Hawken (2/30) were the pick of the Dragons bowlers.
Lions all rounder, Wiaan Mulder top scored with 55 (41). Evan Jones also impressed with a powerful 36 (24).
NW Dragons head coach, Craig Alexander, praised the batsmen and bowlers for a top effort, but stated that their fielding must be improved.
“It’s a good start for us. We bowled well, even though the fielding did not back it up. Credit goes to the batsmen. Senuran Muthusamy played an unbelievable knock last night. His knock just proved once again that he is a finisher in white ball cricket. It’s a big feather in his cap and I am very happy for him,” stated Alexander.
He also mentioned that Lesego Senokwane and Grant Mokoena with a solid partnership after the fall of two early wickets, laid the platform for Potgieter and Muthusamy to play their natural game.
“Delano’s bowling was also really good. He tests batsmen technique with every ball. He is a real positive to have in the team. Needless to say we need to work on the fielding after dropping six catches last night. We want to iron the negatives out as quickly as possible. I am very excited for the game against the Dolphins (on Wednesday) and hopefully we can add an extra percent to our batting, bowling and fielding.”
*The Titans beat the Dolphins yesterday by 34 runs.
*Today (Tuesday, 18 October), the Warriors take on the Knights at 14:30 and Boland takes on Western Province at 18:00 in two big clashes at the JB Marks Oval in Potch.
