END OF OVER:20 | 8 Runs | JS: 198/5 (16 runs required, RR: 9.90)
- Simon Harmer5 (5b)
- Dan Christian13 (12b)
- Anrich Nortje3-0-41-0
- Sisanda Magala4-0-36-1
Great game to kick off this edition of the MSL - albeit a hectic return to commentary for me. Apologies for the little errors I may have made, I am just warming up, and hope to catch you again soon. Until then, it's goodnight from me.
Here's some nuggets from the presentation:
Temba Bavuma: We knew it was going to be a good wicket and we backed our line-up to chase down whatever they put. I thought we were in control up to the 15th over. Our confidence is not dented as a team. I haven't felt much pressure. It's nice to be back in Johannesburg, back at home, playing with guys I am familiar with. There is responsibility captaining the defending champions but its also about having fun.
MOM Janneman Malan: It was good fun. Complements to my partners. I could just get one and a boundary. It would have been fun to get the extra run but not too bothered about it. Credit to Dale Steyn.He wasn't supposed to do so well on this wicket.
Quinton de Kock: We just wanted to come here and show the other teams what we are about. We wanted to stamp out authority down. I was just tagging along Janneman, He was flying along. The guys batted superbly. When Dale picked up a wicket, we spoke about it being time to step it up. That's what I asked for, that's what I got. It's great to get over the line. I am still getting used to captaining but as I am starting to get older, slowly become a leader, whether I am captain or not.
So, Quinton de Kock has claimed his first win as captain of the Cape Town Blitz, at his old stomping ground, The Wanderers. It was his opening partner Janneman Malan who set the tone with a magnificent 99 against an inconsistent Jozi Stars attack. The target of 214 was always going to be challenging but new Jozi Stars captain Temba Bavuma was confident chasing under lights would be easier. Reeza Hendricks scored 80, and showed off his excellent timing and placement, and had some help, but not enough. It was that man Dale Steyn who announced how much he still has to offer, with 3 for 25 in his four overs, featuring two good catches from Sisanda Magala, that was the difference between the sides.
24 runs needed off the final over and Nortje will bowl the final over
END OF OVER:19 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | JS: 190/5 (24 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 10.00, RRR: 24.00)
- Simon Harmer0 (1b)
- Dan Christian10 (10b)
- Sisanda Magala4-0-36-1
- Dale Steyn4-0-25-3
RD Rickelton c Malan b Magala 1 (5m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00
END OF OVER:18 | 7 Runs 1 Wkt | JS: 187/4 (27 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 10.38, RRR: 13.50)
- Dan Christian8 (7b)
- Ryan Rickelton0 (0b)
- Dale Steyn4-0-25-3
- Sisanda Magala3-0-33-0
RR Hendricks c Magala b Steyn 80 (77m 53b 11x4 1x6) SR: 150.94
END OF OVER:17 | 17 Runs | JS: 180/3 (34 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 10.58, RRR: 11.33)
- Reeza Hendricks79 (51b)
- Dan Christian2 (3b)
- Sisanda Magala3-0-33-0
- Dale Steyn3-0-18-2
At the same stage, Blitz were 167-3, so we're in for a tight one