A supremely clinical performance from the Nashua Cape Cobras saw them make it eight wins out of 10 games in the league phase of the RAM SLAM T20 as they beat the Chevrolet Warriors by nine wickets at Boland Park.
Dale Steyn and Hashim Amla both made notable contributions as they eased back into franchise cricket, with Steyn making one of the early breakthroughs that saw the Warriors slump to 29 for three after they had won the toss and elected to bat.
The visitors did recover from that position admirably - thanks in no small part to Cobras batsman Yaseen Vallie, who has been on loan to the Warriors. Vallie struck 39 in a 95-run stand for the fourth wicket with Ryan Bailey, who did the big hitting in the partnership as he collected 62 from just 41 deliveries.
Despite that fightback, the Warriors were only able to post 131 for five as Steyn (1 for 19 in four overs), Mthokozisi Shezi (1 for 19 in three) and Dane Paterson (1 for 23 in four) all finished strongly.
Faced with such a modest target, the Cobras were able to go about their chase methodically, with Richard Levi’s 22 providing some early impetus and Amla and Dane Vilas soon reducing the required rate to less than a run a ball.
Amla batted through the innings to finish unbeaten on 56 from 51 deliveries, while Vilas was 43 not out from 38 balls when the Cobras crossed the line with 11 balls to spare.
Levi’s knock put him back on top of the run-scoring charts as he passed Henry Davids (385 runs) to finish the league stage with 391 runs to his name.
With the Knights and the Lions seeing their encounter washed out, the Cobras topped the table, enjoying a nine-point lead in the final standings, while the Warriors ended up in fifth place.
(Photo Credit: The Boland Park ground by Warren Groeneveld - @Warren_G on Twitter)
FINAL LEAGUE TABLE
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R | Pts | Net RR | For | Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Cobras | 10 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 37 | +1.146 | 1310/163.1 | 1170/170.0 |
| Lions | 10 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 28 | +0.017 | 1272/168.4 | 1318/175.1 |
| Knights | 10 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 24 | +1.207 | 1135/136.2 | 993/139.3 |
| Dolphins | 10 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 16 | +0.060 | 1307/169.1 | 1256/163.5 |
| Warriors | 10 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 15 | -1.343 | 1293/187.3 | 1483/180.0 |
| Titans | 10 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 11 | -0.703 | 1495/184.0 | 1592/180.2 |
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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