Mangaliso Mosehle’s half-century topped JP Duminy’s 54, as the Lions handed the Cobras their second Ram Slam T20 defeat.
The side winning the toss and batting first have never won at the Wanderers, and JP Duminy decided to go against statistics by electing to bat.
A fiery Lions bowling attack versus a formidable Cobras batting lineup was expected, and the hosts got the first laugh through Kagiso Rabada (2-19), as Richard Levi (0) nicked an inswinger on to his stumps.
Hashim Amla struggled to read Rabada, picking up fortunate runs, but he slowly eased into the game. Parnell was brought in up the order to join his Proteas teammate and played an aggressive role in a 75-run stand.
Lions captain Aaron Phangiso (2-25) applied brakes to the scoring rate with consecutive scalps, removing Amla (36 off 28 balls) and Parnell (33 off 26 deliveries) in the 10th over.
Duminy and Temba Bavuma were unfazed by the double strike and showed their experience in a 60-run partnership to steady the ship. The pair carried their side to 135-3 before Bavuma was dismissed by Rabada in the 16th over after an 18-ball 28 (1×6, 3×4).
Duminy continued his captain’s innings with a 30-ball 54 (3×4, 2×6), taking his side to 169-5 before he was run out in the final ball of the innings.
The Lions’ chase was dominated by Reeza Hendricks’s 42 off 32 balls (3×4, 2×6) and Mosehle’s 36-ball 55 (4×4, 3×6). The pair set up a simple finish for the Lions as they reached their target with seven wickets in hand.
Vernon Philander gave the Cobras a good start, dismissing Rassie van der Dussen, but Hendricks took the Lions to 69-1 before he was stumped by Qaasim Adams off George Linde.
Mosehle then took his side to a comfortable position at 132-2 before he lost his scalp to Mthiwekhaya Nabe – who had a second bite at dismissing the wicketkeeper-batsman, after Mosehle was caught on a no-ball off the bowling of Nabe on 10.
Omphile Ramela (30) and Dwaine Pretorius (13) saw the Lions over the line to claim a seven-wicket win and posting 175-3.
In East London, the Titans claimed a second bonus point with a comfortable 61-run victory. Aiden Markram (45), Farhaan Behardien (43), Dean Elgar (34) and Albie Morkel (33) set the tone with the bat. A four-for from Lungi Ngidi (4-14), three scalps from Markram and two from Tabraiz Shamsi saw the Warriors skittled for 111.
The game at Kingsmead between the Dolphins and the Knights was rained out.
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
