Dewald Brevis’ counter-attacking century was not enough for the Northerns Titans as three late wickets by Codi Yusuf helped the Central Gauteng Lions clinch a four-run One-Day Cup win in Centurion on Friday.
Coming in at No 5 in a chase of 301, the 21-year-old Brevis blasted seven sixes and six fours to take his side to within 21 runs of victory with an imposing 72-ball 102, before Yusuf (4-53) intervened to leave the chase six short with seven balls to play.
The result of an enthralling encounter left the hosts as the only winless team in the competition after two rounds – while the Lions made it two from two to stay second.
There were runs also from Reeza Hendricks (94 off 93 balls; 10 fours, three sixes) and Zubayr Hamza (68 off 64 balls; seven fours, one six) after the Lions had lost the toss and were asked to bat first.
The pair shared a partnership of 99 for the third wicket, before Connor Esterhuizen (37) and Delano Potgieter (42) propelled their side to 300-9 in 49 overs, an over being lost on account of the weather.
Dayyaan Galiem was the most successful bowler, though his four wickets came at a cost of 73 runs.
The Titans flew out of the blocks to reach 81-1 in the 14th over after useful contributions by Lhuan-dre Pretorius(44) and Rivaldo Moonsamy (29).
Neil Brand added 38, but they lost some quick wickets to slip to 177-5 in the 33rd over. With the game looking lost, Brevis had other ideas and mercilessly launched into the bowling.
Even though there was little support from the other end, he got them to 280-7 in the 46th over, needing just 21 from the final 23 balls.
But he then fell to Yusuf, caught by Esterhuizen at long on, before the same bowler took out Roelof van der Merwe (10) and Mathew Boast (five) to seal a famous win.
Photo: Gallo Images
