The hosts stamped their authority on the game and put on an imposing 194/6 in their 20 overs, with each batsman scoring at better than a run a ball. The Impalas, for their part, fell 80 runs short after being dismissed for a stuttering 116.
THE LIMPOPO Impalas will probably be kicking themselves after winning the toss, ahead of their CSA T20 Knock-Out Division 2 encounter, and sending the Northern Cape Heat in to bat at a scorching-hot Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Saturday.
The Heat took full advantage of the conditions and their familiarity with the home ground, setting their thermostat to ‘sizzle’ as they raked in all five log points on offer.
The hosts stamped their authority on the game and put on an imposing 194/6 in their 20 overs, with each batsman scoring at better than a run a ball. The Impalas, for their part, fell 80 runs short after being dismissed for a stuttering 116.
NC Heat captain Ruan Haasbroek led the charge with a blistering 63 off just 33 balls, stroking three boundaries in addition to smashing five sixes off the hapless Limpopo bowlers. Number five batsman CP Klijnhans rubbed salt into the Impalas’ wounds with his unbeaten 48 off 30 balls (4x4s, 3x6s). Earlier, opener Gerald Pike’s 31 (24 balls, 1×4, 3×6’s) also boosted the home team’s total.
Impala bowler Jesse Albanie could possibly head back home feeling that he had the measure of their hosts. His 1/18 in three overs, at an economy rate of six was really impressive on a day that the Heat put their visitors to the sword.
After the change of innings, the Impalas just could not get going. From the start they were pegged back and none of their batsmen even made a solid start, with wicketkeeper Dilivio Ridgaard’s 33 (4x4s) the only notable contribution.
In fact, so disciplined was the Heat’s bowling that only one six was scored in the entire Impalas innings, to complement the 11 boundaries – in contrast, the Heat had scored 12 fours and sent 14 balls sailing over the ropes.
Basheeru-Deen Walters (2/20) and Tshepo Ntuli (2/21) were the home team’s chief wicket-takers, but all the Heat bowlers claimed a scalp and impressive economy rates.
Following this impressive win on Saturday, the Heat find themselves fourth on the CSA T20 Knock-Out Competition Division 2 log with a much-improved net run rate.
The competition now moves on to the knock-out phase, with the semi-finals scheduled for Wednesday, October 16 and Thursday, October 17 between teams and venues still to be announced.
The final takes place on Sunday, October 20.
