The all-round efforts of Colin Ingram inspired the Warriors to a seven-wicket win over the Lions to set up a final clash against the Titans.
The Warriors have gone one step closer to a first T20 Challenge title in seven years, after easing past the Lions in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.
After beating each other in the group stages it was difficult to predict who would come out on top, but in the end the Eastern Cape franchise used home-ground advantage to progress, largely thanks to the exploits of Ingram.
Ingram, the Natwest T20 Blast Player of the Year for his performances with Glamorgan in England this past season, took 2-24 with his leg-spin before proceeding to smash 56 off 46 deliveries to guide his side home.
Reeza Hendricks top-scored for the Lions with 32, but it came off exactly 32 balls as the spinners halted the Johannesburg outfit in their tracks.
Jon Jon Smuts, the Bowler of the Match and one of the outstanding performers of the tournament so far, weighed in with 1-17 from his four overs, while Colin Ackermann only conceded nine from his two overs. The Lions stuttered to 136-7 from their allotted overs, leaving their bowlers with it all to do.
Despite the best efforts of the likes of Hardus Viljoen, who took the wicket of Smuts for 11, there simply wasn’t enough on the board as Clyde Fortuin and Christiaan Jonker, who both scored 27, played part-time roles in Ingram’s assault.
Ingram, who became the first Proteas debutant to score an ODI century on debut, struck three fours and two sixes for his 56 to get his side over the line with 10 balls remaining, setting up a clash with defending champions the Titans in the final on Friday.
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
