A devastating top-order batting performance gave the Cape Cobras an eight-wicket win over the hapless Knights in their One-Day Cup match at Newlands.
The Cobras were offered a target of 240 to win, but once the base had been laid by Temba Bavuma (65 off 74), released from the Proteas squad ahead of the second Test, and Pieter Malan (42 off 54) in a stand of 80 in 17 overs, the writing was on the wall.
Simon Khomani (65 off 59, 10×4) and JP Duminy, who hammered 70 off 37 balls, with seven sixes and two fours, saw the hosts home with 78 balls remaining. Duminy took five of those sixes from one over from Eddie Leie for a total of 37 runs.
The Knights, having chosen to bat, were on the backfoot the moment Rory Kleinveldt removed Grant Mokoena (12) and Keegan Petersen (0) in the seventh over, with 28 runs on he board.
The rest of the bowling attack responded by never allowing partnerships to develop.
It was not until Patrick Kruger came in at No 6 that the Knights found someone who could dig in and hold the fort. He found a solid partner in Shadley van Schalkwyk, who scored 20 in a stand of 60 in 14 overs. Once he was caught and bowled by JP Duminy, Duanne Olivier added a valuable hard-worked 25 off 38 balls.
Eventually, Kruger was left high and dry on 110, off 110 balls, among which were nine fours and four sixes.
At least 239-9 was a target, albeit at under five an over. It was nowhere near enough.
The Cobras now trail the Titans, who smashed the Lions to go to the top of the log with 24 points, leading by one point.
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Photo: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images
