The Nelson Mandela Bay Giants beat the Tshwane Spartans by six wickets in Tuesday’s Mzansi Super League fixture at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.

Pursuing a 189-run target, the Giants recovered from 21-3 to win with two deliveries to spare. The result left the Giants in second position in the 2019 tournament’s six-team standings, while the Spartans remained third.

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Batsman Ben Dunk starred for the Giants. He struck 99 not out, which spanned 54 deliveries – and featured 10 fours and a quartet of sixes. He was dropped four times by leg-side fielders Lungi Ngidi, Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorsi. Ngidi grassed two opportunities.

Australian Dunk was well supported by middle-order batsman Marco Marais, who hit 38 not out in an unbroken 86-run alliance.

Spartans fast bowler Morne Morkel welcomed a 200th wicket in T20 cricket. Fellow former Proteas cricketer AB de Villiers’ characteristically brisk half-century, too, was in vain.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir, meanwhile, recorded a 350th wicket in T20 competition. He is the second fastest to reach the milestone, after Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga. Malinga, like Tahir, has played for several franchises in domestic T20 leagues around the world.

Wednesday will bring a key clash between the Paarl Rocks and Durban Heat at Boland Park. The Rocks are currently at the top of the table. The Jozi Stars, who are the reigning champions, have been ruled out of contention for a second MSL title this year. They have suffered seven successive defeats this season.

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