Rains washes away Dragons fire

RAIN robbed the North West Dragons of a spot in the final of the Cricket South Africa Provincial T20 Knock-Out in Kimberley yesterday.

The Free Staters, on account of their superior net run rate over the course of the competition, qualified for today's final.

The Dragons were magnificent with the ball, producing a disciplined performance in which they kept the much-vaunted Knights batting line-up in check. Eldred Hawken claimed 3/37, but Chad Classen (0/17 in four overs) and Senuran Muthusamy (2/12), provided excellent control. In particular the experienced pair of Rilee Rossouw and Farhaan Behardien were never

allowed to go through the gears. Rossouw hit just one four, in his innings of 15, a far cry from the free-flowing player seen throughout the competition.

It was Lwandiswa Zuma, who claimed his wicket, as he found a thick outside edge when Rossouw attempted a drive, with Lesego Senokwane, showing good judgement to claim a steepling catch at point. Behardien was bowled for three by a beautiful delivery from Muthusamy, leaving the Knights in a dreadful position at 97/6 when the rain first arrived to halt the match in the 18th over of their innings.

When play resumed, Gerald Coetzee smashed 29 off 12 balls, to give the Knights a respectable total, which was then readjusted to leave the Dragons a target of 130 in 19 overs.

Their openers, Wesley Marshall and Eben Botha, knowing that rain was likely to fall again, then smashed 42 off just 2.3 overs but unfortunately the rain returned too quickly, ending the match and washing away their hopes of playing in the final.

Earlier the Dolphins were grateful for a well-made 58 not out off 45 balls from Khaya Zondo, that calmed their nerves as they reached a modest target 139 to defeat the Titans.