The Central Gauteng Lions claimed a 62-run win against Western Province in the One-Day Cup final at the Wanderers on Thursday.
It is the Lions’ third consecutive domestic 50-over title, having shared it with the KZN Dolphins in the 2020-21 season and beaten the Northerns Titans in the 2021-22 final earlier this year.
Following a delayed toss due to rain, the match was reduced to 48 overs per side as the visitors opted to field first.
Joshua Richards and Ryan Rickelton put on 142 for the first wicket before the latter was bowled in the 23rd over by a brilliant George Linde delivery for 75 off 63 balls.
Richards shared a 71-run stand with Reeza Hendricks before being caught by Beuran Hendricks off Nandre Burger’s bowling for 94 off 102 balls. Hendricks went on to make 69 off 64.
Mitchell van Buuren then smashed 62 off 36 deliveries and Evan Jones 30 off 16 as the Lions posted 358-5.
In reply, Western Province lost Jonathan Bird (13), who was caught behind by Rickelton off Lutho Sipamla’s bowling in the seventh over.
Tony de Zorzi (88 off 69) and Edward Moore (run-a-ball 82) put on 113 for the second wicket to take WP to 157-1 after 24 overs.
But Sipamla then removed De Zorzi and Zubayr Hamza (nought) in successive deliveries at the start of the 25th over.
Moore and Daniel Smith (24) took WP’s total to 217 but were dimissed in quick succession by Reeza Hendrick in the 34th over.
George Linde scored 42 off 32 balls, but wickets fell regularly at the other end and the visitors were bowled out for 296 in 43 overs.
Sipamla also picked up the wickets of Mihlali Mpongwana (15) and Wayne Parnell (two) to end with figures of 5-71 and earn the Man of the Match award.
