2174dThe Report by Akshay Gopalakrishnan

Janneman Malan, bowlers maintain Blitz's unbeaten run

Malan's rapid fire 57 set the tone for a competitive 175, before the bowlers, led by Steyn, rallied to defend a revised target of 145 after floodlight failure reduced the chase to 16 overs

Match Centre

Commentator: @gomorezvidinha

END OF OVER:
16 | 13 Runs | NMBG: 132/6 (13 runs required, RR: 8.25)

  • Ryan McLaren9 (8b)
  • Rudi Second18 (7b)
  • Andile Phehlukwayo3-0-24-1
  • Ferisco Adams3-0-13-0

So, Cape Town Blitz win their third match in three and they maintain their position at the top of the Mzansi Super League Table. Their victory was set up by Janneman Malan's fifty and rapid contributions from the middle order, and sealed by an excellent effort with the ball, and particularly from Dale Steyn. After Giants' top order was blown away in a virtually unplayable opening spell from Steyn, they were never really in the hunt despite Kuhn's fifty.

"Just a little shaken up at the start there. Dale Steyn, people may say he's 35 but he's still as quick as ever and as good as ever," says Heino Kuhn, who was hit on the head first ball by Steyn earlier, before registering a battling fifty. "Still a long way to go. A lot of things to work on. I must congratulate [Cape Town Blitz] as they bowled really well."

Janneman Malan is the Player of the Match. "The wicket was pretty good," he says. "Good toss to win, and we had a good start. The short ball didn't skid on as much, so I tried to take advantage of it. It's a bit frustrating [not to score more], but I'll take the learnings from this one."

Farhaan Behardien: "What a great start. The back end was quite tough there, we had to be on point and fortunately enough the bowlers were. We're happy with the three wins. Good to get some momentum and confidence."

Jon-Jon Smuts: "We probably didn't bowl at our best. It was tough, and the way they bowled in the first six was exceptional. Dale was very good. A few disruptions didn't help us."

That's all from us tonight. Join us again on Friday for Nelson Mandela Bay Giants' home game against Durban Heat at St George's Park. Until then, goodbye!

15.6
1
Phehlukwayo to McLaren, 1 run, heaved miles up in the air, but it falls right in the middle of the fielders converging from long on, cow corner and midwicket. No matter, Cape Town Blitz have still wrapped up a win!
15.5
2
Phehlukwayo to McLaren, 2 runs, a full toss is thrashed down to long off, and they rush back for two
15.4
1
Phehlukwayo to Second, 1 run, slower ball from Phehlukwayo, and all Second can do is heave it out into the deep on the leg side without great timing

17 off 3 now

15.3
6
Phehlukwayo to Second, SIX, up and over long off, and Second finds the boundary to keep his team alive!
15.2
2
Phehlukwayo to Second, 2 runs, Second backs away and hacks a length delivery through extra cover. The call comes early for a quick second run
15.1
1
Phehlukwayo to McLaren, 1 run, full outside off, and McLaren crunches a drive to extra cover

Six balls left, and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants need 26. It's not impossible ...

Giants 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st9JT SmutsM Marais
2nd4JT SmutsBM Duckett
3rd65HG KuhnBM Duckett
4th24HG KuhnC Jonker
5th2C JonkerCH Morris
6th0R McLarenC Jonker
7th28R McLarenRS Second

Mzansi Super League

TeamMWLPTNRR
CTB1063300.941
JS1064291.295
PR105522-0.292
NMBG104421-0.448
TS104616-1.044
DH103614-0.716