Fast bowler Dale Steyn welcomed the Player of the Match award, after the Cape Town Blitz beat the Tshwane Spartans by 15 runs in Sunday’s Mzansi Super League fixture at Newlands.

Steyn completed figures of 3-10 in four overs, which included the key dismissals of Proteas trio Wiaan Mulder and Dean Elgar – and the talismanic AB de Villiers.

The departure of De Villiers was particularly important for the Blitz, who limited the Spartans’ pursuit of a 158-run target to 142/7.

‘I am having fun and enjoying my cricket and it shows in my performance. AB’s the best in the world. I don’t think I got him out in 20 years. It’s been a long time,’ said Steyn.

‘It’s always fun and challenging playing against him.’

Steyn praised fellow right-armer Sisanda Magala, whose tight economy during the Stars’ closing throes impressed throughout.

‘Sisanda has been the find for us. He bowls the 18th and 20th overs for us and he doesn’t moan. He’s fantastic,’ added Steyn.

The result pushed the Blitz to fourth in the 2019 tournament’s six-team standings. The Jozi Stars, meanwhile, lost to the Paarl Rocks on Sunday. The Rocks are at the top of the table, while the Stars have been ruled out of contention for a second title in the wake of seven successive defeats. They claimed the maiden title after beating the Blitz in last year’s inaugural final.

Photo: BackPagePix