The Knights continued their fairy tail run when they beat the Lions in the semi-final of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge on Sunday.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first, but their imposing opening partnership didn’t last long. Quinton de Kock departed for just one and then Chris Gayle fell for a subdued 15 to leave the side in trouble at 25-2 in the fourth over.

The innings never gathered any momentum from that point as the two former Wynberg Boys’ High pupils, bowled immaculate spells for the Knights. Shadley van Schalkwyk returned figures of 1-25 in his four overs, while Malusi Siboto was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2-26 in his ration of overs.

Temba Bavuma and Neil McKenzie fought hard, contributing 36 and 33, respectively. However, their efforts were only enough to post a sub-par 148-5 in the allotted 20 overs.

The Lions do have the most feared attack in the competition, though, and they would have to be at their best to book the hosts a ticket to Cape Town for the final on Friday. Unfortunately, they ran into two quality players in the form of Reeza Hendricks and Rilee Rossouw, who took the match away from the Lions.

Hendricks carried his bat and Rossouw stayed with him until just five runs were required for victory. Rossouw attempted to end the match with a lusty blow, but was caught for a 42-ball 58.

Hendricks finished the match off the next delivery, as he sent it flying over cover for six to claim an eight-wicket victory with 13 balls to spare. The maximum took his individual score to 74 off just 53 balls. More importantly, though, it took the Knights into the final and sealed their spot in the Champions League next year.

Report compiled by Gareth Stevens.

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