• Jonker propels Rocks to top of Pool D in T20 Knock Out

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    An unbeaten 56 off 39 balls from Christiaan Jonker helped the Rocks to an 18-run victory over the Eastern Cape Iinyathi at the Kimberley Oval on Tuesday.

    Despite losing two wickets in the powerplay, the Rocks made a confident start to their innings after being put in to bat.

    Janneman (39) and Pieter Malan (18) laid the foundation, dispatching nine boundaries, including one six off the bat of Pieter, before the fall of regular wickets in the middle order slowed down the run rate.

    Walking in at No 5, Jonker found a willing partner in experienced all-rounder, Ferisco Adams (21). They combined for a crucial 47-run, fifth-wicket stand to steady the ship.

    With what proved to be an even more important partnership, Jonker (who hit six fours and one six) reached his eighth T20 fifty alongside Shaun von Berg (27), the pair adding 59 runs for the sixth wicket as the Rocks ended on a solid total of 172-6 in 20 overs.

    Clayton Bosch was the standout bowler for the Iinyathi with figures of 3-37 in his four overs.

    In reply, the Eastern Cape side struggled to find their rhythm at the crease, losing three wickets in the powerplay before captain Jerry Nqolo led from the front with a fighting knock.

    Nqolo top-scored with a 38-ball 50 (five fours, one six), helping the Iinyathi move from 35-3 to 112-5 before the Rocks made further inroads and limited the batting side’s scoring rate despite efforts from Jerome Bossr (26*) and Bosch (20*).

    Ziyaad Abrahams recorded the best bowling figures for his side, bagging two wickets for 34 runs to restrict the Iinyathi to 154-5 and secure the Rocks’ place in the quarter-finals.

    The final round of Pool D matches will take place on Wednesday, with the Rocks up against the Limpopo Impalas while the Eastern Cape Iinyathi and the Warriors, who are only separated by net run rate, will battle it out for a position in the last eight.

    Wednesday fixtures:

    Limpopo Impalas vs Rocks (10:00)
    Eastern Cape Iinyathi vs Warriors (14:30)

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    Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

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    Simon Borchardt