Temba Bavuma registered his first Sunfoil Series century of the season, but it ultimately wasn’t enough as the Cape Cobras secured a 47-run victory over the Highveld Lions at Sahara Park Newlands to rise to the top of the standings.
Bavuma is making something of a habit of scoring runs in conditions that others can’t, and once again stood head and shoulders above his struggling teammates. The 23-year-old twice fell within sight of a century during the first four matches of the competition, but made no mistake this time by stroking a fluent 112.
Yet it all went in vain as the wickets tumbled around him. Bavuma was the last man out as the Lions were dismissed for 190 in pursuit of 238 for victory.
Although Bavuma and Stephen Cook (42) negotiated a tricky first 45 minutes after the Lions resumed on 62 for three, Cook’s dismissal by Dane Paterson sparked a monumental collapse.
The Lions fell from 97 for three to 135 for eight as no other batsman made it into double figures, leaving Bavuma to fight it out with the tail.
After adding 31 for the ninth wicket with Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Bavuma fought on for another nine overs with Pumelela Matshikwe to bring the target within 50 runs. However, Paterson had the final say when he had Bavuma caught by Andrew Puttick to grab figures of 4 for 61 and secure the victory points for the Cobras.
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
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