Rain brought a premature end to a miserable Cobras performance as the Cape side lost by 33 runs, on the D/L Method, to the Northern Knights on Friday.

After a brief shower in between innings, the Cobras openers walked out to the middle, chasing 207 to win in their 20 overs in their Group B match in Raipur. Their task was made even more daunting after just one delivery, as Stiaan van Zyl was bowled on his 27^th birthday for a golden duck.

There was a slight recovery before Hashim Amla fell for 20 off the final ball of the powerplay. The heavens opened after 7.2 overs with the scoreboard reading 44-2. That signaled the end of the match as the chase ended before it gained any momentum.

It’s a shame that the weather had the last say before the Cobras had a chance to redeem their poor display in the field. The Northern Knights were worthy winners on the night, though, and will be a tough nut to crack at the tournament progresses.

Northern Knights innings:

Earlier, The Cobras bowled poorly, allowing the Northern Knights to post 206-5.  A rusty start from the seamers saw the Northern Knights get off to a flier, reaching 51-0 at the end of the fielding restrictions. The opening pair of Kane Williamson and Anton Devcich continued the onslaught to bring up the 100 in the 11^th over. They looked composed and untroubled, while the bowlers were flusters and showed poor discipline.

A rare piece of good fielding broke the opening stand on 140, as Robin Peterson executed a direct hit to get rid of Devcich for 67. Vernon Philander then got rid of Daniel Flynn for a duck as the 14^th over yielded two wickets.

Service was then resumed for the New Zealanders as BJ Watling came in and blasted 32. Kane Williamson carried his bat and registered his highest T20 score, a 49-ball 101, to guide his team past the 200 mark.

Omphile Ramela dropped a regulation chance at cover in the 17^th over. It pretty much summed up the Cobras performance in the field, as they conceded more than 10 an over.

Northern Knights:

Anton Devcich, Kane Williamson, Daniel Flynn, BJ Watling, Daryl Mitchell, Scott Styris, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult.

Cape Cobras:

Hashim Amla, Stiaan van Zyl, Omphile Ramela, Justin Ontong, Dane Vilas, Justin Kemp, Vernon Philander, Robin Peterson, Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt, Aviwe Mgijima.

Photo: Backpagepix