A blazing half century by Matthew Breetzke ensured the EP Warriors continued their wonderful run in the T20 Challenge after they cruised to a 31-run win over the KZN Inland Tuskers at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Friday.
The Proteas batsman clubbed seven sixes in a scintillating 41-ball 72 as the hosts made it nine wins out of 10 to extend their advantage over the Central Gauteng Lions at the top of the T20 Challenge log.
There were also wins for the Northerns Titans and North West Dragons in the latest round of action.
On Friday, though, it was the Breetzke show in the Eastern Cape after his performance at the top of the order blew away the Tuskers.
The hosts batted first after losing the toss and racked up 174-5, with 21 runs apiece also coming through Jiveshan Pillay and Jordan Hermann.
The visitors could only manage 143-9 in their reply, which included a top-score of 29 from Cameron Delport.
Nealan van Heerden was the pick of the Warriors’ bowlers, collecting 3-31.
Meanwhile, in Centurion, Sibonelo Makhanya continued his recent good form with an unbeaten half century to help the Northerns Titans cruise to a bonus-point win over the Boland Rocks.
The victory was set up by the bowlers, though, who dismissed the visitors for 122 after they won the toss and elected to field first.
Veteran all-rounder David Wiese led the way with miserly figures of 3-1-9-2, while there were also double strikes by Lungi Ngidi (2-19) and Junior Dala (2-32).
Wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin top-scored with 45 off 24 balls as everyone else struggled in his side.
Makhanya, aided by Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dayyaan Galiem (both 29), then struck 50* off 25 balls (four fours, four sixes) to help overhaul the target in just 13 overs.
In Potchefstroom, Gideon Peters and Kerwin Mungroo were both outstanding with the ball in what turned out to be only a third win of the campaign for the North West Dragons, over Western Province at the JB Marks Oval.
The hosts won by 11 runs thanks to Peters’ 3-23, with Mungroo also excelling with his economical 1-12 in four overs that restricted the Cape side to 144-6 chasing 156.
Batting first, the Dragons reached 155-8 thanks to Raynard van Tonder (39*) and Rubin Hermann (30).
Eddie Moore made 47 in the reply and Valentine Kitme struck 33, but it was not enough as the visitors ended short.
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
