Captain Dane Vilas modestly accepted the Man of the Match award, after the Jozi Stars beat the Durban Heat by one wicket in Friday’s tight Mzansi Super League clash at Kingsmead.

Vilas’ commanding 43 was the top score in the Stars’ pursuit of a testing 129-run target, which was reached with two deliveries to spare after consecutive sixes from tail-ender Nono Pongolo.

‘I am absolutely pumped. That was amazing from Pongolo at the end there to hit those two sixes. It was tough to come in on that wicket and it was difficult with the way their spinners were bowling,’ said Vilas.

The Stars struggled against slow bowlers Rashid Khan and Keshav Maharaj, before Vilas shared a steadying partnership alongside all-rounder Simon Harmer.

‘Simon took a lot of pressure off me – it was a really good partnership which we had. I think I didn’t have a lot of time in the earlier games with the bat and it is nice to get in a good knock here. I don’t really deserve this Man of the Match award,’ added Vilas.

The Heat, who remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament’s six-team standings and entirely out of contention for a play-off berth, played without Proteas duo Hashim Amla and Heinrich Klaasen.

‘Look at the names in the side and the players they’ve left out such as Hashim and Klaasen – so it really means a lot to get one over the line. We are looking at one match at a time and really glad to have won one on the road,’ concluded Vilas.

Photo: Gallo