Mark Salter looks back on players and moments of note in the Lions’ eight-wicket victory over the Cape Cobras in the Momentum One-Day Cup final at Newlands on Sunday.
Bowler of the day
Alviro Petersen. Who? Petersen. He was hustled into service when Eddie Leie went down with an injury (the same one that ruled him out all week?). He proceded to bowl Leie’s final three balls and another fours overs, keeping it tight and making sure Cobras batsmen knew their place, conceding just four an over.
Batsman of the day
Sorry, but it has to be Petersen. This may look like a fan club, but look at the detail. Stephen Cook was a great contender, as was Justin Ontong, but they did what they had to do. Petersen (and Dane Vilas, briefly) looked like One Day Cup batsmen, touching the strike-rate of 100. But Petersen (55 off 56) wins it, if only for the consecutive cover drives off Wayne Parnell.
Catch of the day
Dominic Hendricks at backward point, leaping high to his right to take a two-handed effort as Wayne Parnell cut hard and fast off Hardus Viljoen. It brought a budding partnership of 25 off 27 with Ontong to a shuddering end and left the Cobras six down.
Play of the day
Temba Bavuma chases a huge, high drive by Ontong and palms the ball back just before it crosses the boundary rope. He is also Fielder of the Day for his run-out of Levi and his athleticism in the field which stopped a few runs.
Shot of the day
Dane Vilas dancing forward to drive Pumelela Matshikwe back over his head, just after slapping him for four through mid-wicket.
Ball of the day
The fourth ball of Dwaine Pretorius’s fifth over which moved just enough to find the edge of Andrew Puttick’s bat. After a quiet start Puttick was starting to look good and accelerated with a couple of great drives. It was a big wicket coming soon after dismissal of Richard Levi. Cobras were then two down for 43 after 10.
Conclusion of the day
The Cobras were cold as ice and seriously off the pace for this game. Did the long break affect them? All in all, for the viewer, it was a disappointing match.
