Nduduzo Mfoza’s three-for and Sarel Erwee’s unbeaten half-ton booked a place in the Africa T20 Cup final for KwaZulu Natal Inland.
It was a thumping eight-wicket win for KZN Inland over Gauteng in Kimberley on Sunday, as youth and experience combined.
Slow left-arm orthodox bowler Mfoza first claimed 3-23 in four overs to help restrict the opposition to 110-8, before the in-form Erwee bashed 67 off 51 balls (7 x 4, 3 x 6) as the Pietermaritzburg side coasted to victory with 32 balls remaining.
It was a third successive half-century for the opener after he recorded scores of 80 and 65 in KZNI’s previous two games.
But the hard yards at the Diamond Oval had already been put in during the first half of the contest by the bowlers in his side.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, they had complete control over Gauteng from the outset.
Key duo Ryan Rickelton (3) and Mangaliso Mosehle (0) were out inside the first two overs when they fell to Gareth Dukes (1-22) and Kerwin Mungroo (1-6) respectively.
Yassar Cook (24) helped stabilise the innings before he fell to Athi Maposa (1-19).
It was then down to 20-year-old Mfoza, who was playing in just his third match, and he cut through the middle order, including taking the wicket of top-scorer Shaylen Pillay (25), to ensure Gauteng set just 111 for victory.
The Johannesburg side needed something special to stop KZNI, but after getting the wicket of skipper Lefa Mosena (7) cheaply, they could not stop the flying Erwee as he took the game away from them with a thrilling knock.
Support came through Grant Roelofsen (20) and Kyle Nipper (15 not out) as the 2015 runners-up sealed an eight-wicket victory.
KZNI captain Mosena was delighted with his reaching the final for the second time.
‘I think the main thing is to learn from the final that we did lose and one thing we did learn was to just stay calm in pressure situations,’ said Mosena. ‘I think this is what we have been doing in all our games this season, hopefully, we’ll be able to do it again in the final.
‘It’s been a good tournament so far and everyone has played for each other, which has been key to our progress.’
Mosena and his team will play either Free State or Namibia in Monday’s final, which will be played at 10:00 am and televised on SuperSport.
Photo:Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
