Ryan Rickelton hit 75 off 39 balls as the Central Gauteng Lions began their T20 Challenge campaign with a 43-run win against the Boland Rocks at the Wanderers.
Rickelton, the leading run-scorer in this year’s SA20, and Reeza Hendricks (28 off 18 balls) gave the Lions the perfect start with a 76-run opening partnership in 6.4 overs.
Rassie van der Dussen then smashed 42* off 22 balls as the Lions posted 223-5.
SA U19 fast bowler Kwena Maphaka, the star of the recent World Cup, took 3-22 in his four overs as Boland were restricted to 180-7. The 17-year-old was well supported by spinner Bjorn Fortuin (2-21) and all-rounder Evan Jones (2-34).
The highlight for the visitors was opener Janneman Malan’s return to form with 61 off 41 balls.
At Kingsmead, Western Province edged the KZN Dolphins by two runs after 18 had been required off the final over bowled by Beuran Hendricks.
Prenelan Subrayen gave the hosts hope with two and a six off the first two balls. Dolphins captain Keshav Maharaj then top-edged a four off the penultimate ball, but was only able to get a single off the final delivery as his side finished on 146-7.
Proteas quick Nandre Burger took 1-13 in his four overs, while Mthiwekhaya Nabe (2-37) and Kyle Simmonds (2-18) each took two wickets.
WP had earlier scored 148-8 thanks to Jono Bird’s 40 off 30 balls and 25 of 22 from Simmonds.
Okuhle Cele (2-27) and Andile Phehlukwayo (2-29) each picked up two wickets for the Dolphins.
In Centurion, Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi took 3-18 in his four overs as the Northerns Titans beat the North West Dragons by 13 runs.
Shamsi’s haul included the key wicket of Raynard van Tonder, who scored 48 off 33 balls.
Pace bowler Junior Dala (3-30) then finished the job as the Dragons ended up on 156-8.
Earlier, Proteas T20I captain Aiden Markram’s 40 off 30 balls had helped the Titans post 169-7.
Migael Pretorius took 3-18 in his four overs for the Dragons, while Duan Jansen (2-33) and Irvin Modimokoane (2-31) both struck twice.
At St George’s Park, the EP Warriors beat the KZN Inland Tuskers by 37 runs, with Proteas all-rounder Marco Jansen taking 4-19.
Fit-again Anrich Nortje produced economical figures of 0-12 in his four overs in his first competitive match in seven months.
The Tuskers were bowled out for 88 after the Warriors had made 125.
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
