Northern Cape Heat out to rekindle their fire in CSA T20 clash against Impalas in Kimberley

Lance Fredericks|Published 4 months ago

The Northern Cape Heat need to get back to winning ways in the CSA T20 Knock-Out Competition. Picture: Danie van der Lith

The Northern Cape Heat have it all to do on Saturday, when they take on the Limpopo Impalas at Kimberley’s Diamond Oval in their CSA T20 Knockout Division 2 match scheduled to start at 1pm.

The Heat have been struggling thus far in the competition.

They lost their first match against the Eastern Storm in Benoni by a single run towards the end of September, but Modiri Litheko’s quickfire 79 showed some promise for the team, while opener Ernest Kemm (39) also gave his all in the team’s cause.

Next, just two days later, the Heat gored the Mpumalanga Rhinos in White River, scoring 202/4, with the Kimberley side’s top order firing, and the bowlers keeping the Rhinos from going on the charge.

Looking ahead to Northern Cape Heat VS Limpopo Impalas this Saturday (12 October 2024) at the Kimberley Oval starting at 13:00PM.🏏🔥
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Watch the game live on CSA YouTube page. 📻#northerncapecricket #wozanawe #bepartofit #t20competition pic.twitter.com/Qm0K0hiABs
— Northern Cape Cricket (@ncapecricket) October 11, 2024

Border was next, and the Heat managed to secure a 17-run win at the beginning of October.

After that win, however, the Kimberley boys have struggled, losing to KZN Inland in Pietermaritzburg by 26 runs, but Litheko again scored 60 off just 43 balls.

It has to be mentioned too that all through the competition Basheeru-Deen Walters has consistently been amongst the wickets, taking the fight to their opponents.

In fact, Walters has even been contributing with the bat. His 53-run partnership with Christoffel Klijnhans against Border is the Heat’s highest for the 9th wicket in T20s, breaking the record that Alan Kruger and Gihahn Cloete set.

Last Wednesday, the Heat hit another hiccup when they lost to SWD in Oudtshoorn by 9 runs.

Now back home, the Heat needs to reset their campaign to make their way up the table again, starting with Saturday’s match against Limpopo. The Impalas (three wins from five games) are in fourth place on the log on 13 points, while below them in fifth spot are the Heat with those two wins from five games on eight points.

However, now with home ground advantage, and players showing application and consistency, there is no reason why the Heat shouldn’t reassert their dominance.

Kimberley residents and cricket fans can head over to the Diamond Oval in Cassandra for some top class cricket on Saturday. Entry to the stadium is free, and there will be more than enough to entertain and delight.

Even the children will not be wilting in the heat as Northern Cape Cricket have planned to provide a waterslide and other entertainment for the young ones.

And don’t forget, there’s a chance to win a R5000 cash prize for a one-handed left-hand catch in the crowd – even more reason to get to the CSA T20 clash, wouldn’t you agree?