The Pride of Jozi celebrated another victory
DP World Lions cricket players, Zubayr Hamza and Connor Esterhuizen duly knocked off the required runs in just 9.2 overs.
The DP World Lions men’s team closed the gap in first place in the CSA T20 Challenge at Wanderers Stadium, with an inspired 10-wicket win over the North-West Dragons on April 14.
The Dragons had elected to bat first, but a good bowling and fielding display by #ThePrideOfJozi saw them out inside 19 overs for 85 runs.
The DP World Lions sent Zubayr Hamza and Connor Esterhuizen, coming in for the rested duo of Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen, to open the batting.
According to a press release by DP World Lions, “The pair duly knocked off the required runs in just 9.2 overs. With our Pride strolling to a bonus point win, and the log-leading Warriors losing to the Boland Rocks in Paarl, it means the Lions are only four points behind the Eastern Province side on 35 points.”
Wiaan Mulder (2-0-9-2) set the tone up front with the ball as he struck twice in his first two overs. His first delivery of the match saw Meeka-Eel Prince (1) mishit a catch to mid-on and in his next over he picked up Rubin Hermann (3) caught at extra cover.
“At 12 for two, the Dragons slipped further into trouble when Lutho Sipamla (3-0-18-2) removed Lesiba Ngoepe (9) and Wihan Lubbe (22),” added that press release.
North-West were 53 for four after 10 overs and still under big pressure when Nqaba Peter (4-0-22-3) and his rapidly developing leg spin were brought into the attack. The 22-year-old struck with his second ball as he deceived and bowled Raynard van Tonder (12).
Peter then struck twice in successive deliveries in his next over. Senuran Muthusamy (6) was brilliantly caught by Esterhuizen, running in from the midwicket boundary and diving forward to scoop up a low catch and Caleb Seleka (0) was bowled first ball by a brilliant slider.
Hamza and Esterhuizen became comfortable on an autumnal pitch that made it difficult to hit through the line on the up and then produced a combative unbeaten partnership of 86 off 60 balls to win the match.
They both finished on 41 not out off 28 balls. Hamza’s smooth strokeplay, plus some innovative hitting saw him collect six fours and a six, while Esterhuizen struck four fours and two sixes.
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