Bjorn Fortuin’s 4-15 and Faf du Plessis’ half-century helped the Paarl Rocks clinch a five-wicket win against the Cape Town Blitz, writes KHALID MOHIDIN from Boland Park.
The Cape Derby was a spectacle to behold. Not only did it draw in a packed crowd at Boland Park, but the cricket on display was competitive and captivating.
The unbeaten Blitz side were defeated for the first time in the tournament, as the Paarl Rocks bowled their local rivals the Cape Town Blitz out for 140. The visitors’ runs came from their top three – Quinton de Kock (31 off 16 balls), Janneman Malan (29 off 31) and Andile Phehlukwayo (24 off 16) – as they struggled to deal with the Paarl bowlers.
Bjorn Fortuin was the star for the hosts, ending with figures of 4-15 after taking all four of the Blitz’s top-order batters – De Kock, Malan, Phehlukwayo and Farhaan Behardien.
Dane Paterson was the Rocks’ next best bowler with figures of 3-23, as the hosts set a defendable total.
The Blitz struck back with their bowling attack and the Rocks found themselves down four for 94 runs after 12 overs.
Besides Vaughn van Jaarsveld’s cameo 26-ball 32 (4×4), the Rocks and Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis kept his side in control of the match.
Du Plessis was spectacular in scoring a 39-ball 54 (6×4), a true captain’s knock to bring his side within nine runs of victory before he lost his wicket after being caught top-edging a full toss. Remarkably, the fourth umpire had to run onto the field to change the onfield umpire’s decision after Malusi Siboto’s delivery had been ruled a no-ball.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mangaliso Mosehle enjoyed an impressive cameo 28 off 26 balls, but it was left to Player of the Match Bjorn Fortuin to seal the match with a four off the third ball he faced, with seven balls in hand.
The win ensured that the Blitz’s four-match winning streak didn’t extend to a fifth match, but also lifted the Rocks off the bottom of the table. The Spartans are now propping up the log, and the Rocks have a game in hand over AB de Villiers’ troops.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
