Ashley bludgeons Southern KZN to top of log
This ensured a bonus point win, sending them to the top of the log.
It was a beautiful day for cricket when Southern KwaZulu-Natal cricket welcomed DHS Rhythm CC to Port Shepstone Country Club last Sunday, in the hopes of preserving their unbeaten start to the season.
Southern KZN captain Meshan Lanka won the toss and sent Rhythm in to bat first in the KZN Cricket Union Premier Coastal T20 clash.
Rhythm got off to a shaky start with Sanolin Pather getting rid of dangerous man Sheldon Mungroo for just seven runs, caught well by Ashley Lombard behind the stumps.
The innings was stabilised by Yuvaan Maharaj with an unbeaten knock of 42 and Joshua Stryd for a hard fought 25 runs.
Stalwarts Raja Kazi and Gershion Lawrence again impressed with ball in hand, with Kazi ending on figures of 2-24 and Lawrence on 1-17 in their four over stints.
Rhythm ended its innings on a competitive 136-5.
In reply, Rhythm CC bowlers came out guns blazing, removing both openers in quick succession with the hosts reeling on 9 for 2.
Up stepped Ashley Lombard, who seemed in a hurry to get his innings going, with the first two deliveries faced going for two consecutive boundaries.
Lombard dismantled the Rhythm bowling attack, smashing the ball to all parts of the ground, whacking seven 6s and four 4s to amass an unbeaten 80.
He was assisted by a powerful innings from Morné Bishop, who ended with 30.
It was a complete performance from Southern KZN, a seven wicket victory in just 15 overs.
This ensured a bonus point win, sending them to the top of the log.
Next up is a match against Chatsworth Sporting away this Sunday.
Victory will ensure qualification to the knockout stages of the competition.
Special thanks were extended to Port Shepstone Country Club groundsman Mondli Edmond Sikobi, who produced an amazing wicket after a week of rain threatened to wash out the game.
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