It was a case of so close, but so far for the North West Dragons who went down to Western Province by 4 runs in an entertaining CSA T20 Challenge match at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday evening (13 March).
Despite a swashbuckling innings of 90 (54) from Rubin Hermann, the Dragons just could not get over the line in their chase of 189 for victory. They ultimately ended on 184/6 in pursuit of Western Province’s 188/7.
Hermann got promoted up the order and opened the batting with Meeka-eel Prince. This proved to be a masterstroke as the left-hander smashed 9 fours and 4 sixes. A partnership of 76 with Raynard van Tonder (34 off 23 balls) had the Dragons in with a sniff. Kyle Simmonds (2/16) in four overs was the pick of Province’s bowlers and he got the key wicket of Van Tonder with the score on 116.
When Hermann departed, the Dragons still needed 45 from 22 balls. Wihan Lubbe (20 from 12) and Ruan de Swardt (16 from 8) tried their level best, but in the end they just fell short.
The Dragons can look back at the 21 extras they conceded as opposed to the 3 from Western Province – it might have ended differently.
On the bowling front, De Swardt, who played his first match of the competition took 3/23 in his four overs. Jono Bird (42 from 20 balls) and Kyle Verreynne (42 off 30 balls) where the main scorers for Province in their innings.
The Dragons will now return home to Potch to face the KZN Inland Tuskers at the J.B. Marks Oval on Friday, 15 March. The match starts at 13:30.
The match comes at the perfect time for the Dragons, who will fancy their chances
against the Tuskers.
The match would have been played at the Pietermaritzburg Oval, but Cricket
South Africa deemed the field unfit after a thorough inspection found sharp objects and
pins on the playing surface.
“Our decision ensured that we continue to play matches in the best possible conditions for players and fans. We are committed to working closely with KZN Inland and relevant stakeholders to address and rectify the issues at the oval,” stated CSA in a media statement this week.
