VKB Knights vs Cape Cobras | Tuesday 16th February |
Manguang Oval | 14:00
Manguang Oval | 14:00
After what seems like an absolute age, we finally head into the last round-robin stage matches of the Momentum One Day Cup this week.
To kick the week’s action off, we head to the Manguang Oval
in Bloemfontein for a bit of a dead-rubber between the log leaders, the Cape Cobras
and the cellar-dwelling VKB Knights.
To Win Match
in Bloemfontein for a bit of a dead-rubber between the log leaders, the Cape Cobras
and the cellar-dwelling VKB Knights.
To Win Match
Knights 18/10
Draw 35/1
Cobras 9/20
Draw 35/1
Cobras 9/20
VKB Knights
The Knights’ faint hopes of a place in the play-offs of the
Momentum One Day Cup were dashed when they were comprehensively beaten by the
bizhub Highveld Lions on Saturday in Bloemfontein. The Free State franchise
were bowled out for a meagre 169 in near-perfect batting conditions with Reeza
Hendricks being the only Knights player to register a score above 30.
Momentum One Day Cup were dashed when they were comprehensively beaten by the
bizhub Highveld Lions on Saturday in Bloemfontein. The Free State franchise
were bowled out for a meagre 169 in near-perfect batting conditions with Reeza
Hendricks being the only Knights player to register a score above 30.
Having got off to a decent enough start thanks to Hendricks
and Rudi Second, a massive collapse saw the hosts lose their last nine wickets
for the addition of only 64 runs. The capitulation was made all the more
frustrating due to every single one of the Knights’ top seven getting starts but failing to kick on as Eddie Leie, Matt McGillivray and Carmi
le Roux did the damage with the ball.
and Rudi Second, a massive collapse saw the hosts lose their last nine wickets
for the addition of only 64 runs. The capitulation was made all the more
frustrating due to every single one of the Knights’ top seven getting starts but failing to kick on as Eddie Leie, Matt McGillivray and Carmi
le Roux did the damage with the ball.
The hosts made up for their inefficiencies with the bat by
bowling well to a strong Lions’ top and middle order. Dillon du Preez was
effective as his eight overs went for just 11 runs. At the end of the day,
however, they simply hadn’t put enough runs on the board as the Lions claimed
victory with 10 overs to spare.
bowling well to a strong Lions’ top and middle order. Dillon du Preez was
effective as his eight overs went for just 11 runs. At the end of the day,
however, they simply hadn’t put enough runs on the board as the Lions claimed
victory with 10 overs to spare.
With nothing left to play for, I suspect the Knights’
management may well give some of their fringe players a run out in Bloemfontein
on Tuesday against the table-topping Cobras as they switch their focus back to
the Sunfoil Series.
management may well give some of their fringe players a run out in Bloemfontein
on Tuesday against the table-topping Cobras as they switch their focus back to
the Sunfoil Series.
Cape Cobras
The Cobras further underlined their status as Momentum One
Day Cup favourites as they breezed past the Chevrolet Warriors in Port
Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon. Big performances from Dane Vilas and Justin
Ontong ensured that the Cape side head into their last regular-season match
with a guaranteed home final.
Day Cup favourites as they breezed past the Chevrolet Warriors in Port
Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon. Big performances from Dane Vilas and Justin
Ontong ensured that the Cape side head into their last regular-season match
with a guaranteed home final.
Having lost the toss and been asked to field, the Cobras
got off to decent enough start by restricting the scoring in the first ten
overs while picking up the valuable wicket of Jon Jon Smuts. Colin Ingram would
join Smuts back in the pavilion just two overs later as the Cobras went for the
jugular. A magnificent 120-run third-wicket partnership between Ackermann and
Yaseen Vallie threatened to take the game away from the visitors before the
latter was well caught by Stiaan van Zyl off the bowling of Dane Paterson.
got off to decent enough start by restricting the scoring in the first ten
overs while picking up the valuable wicket of Jon Jon Smuts. Colin Ingram would
join Smuts back in the pavilion just two overs later as the Cobras went for the
jugular. A magnificent 120-run third-wicket partnership between Ackermann and
Yaseen Vallie threatened to take the game away from the visitors before the
latter was well caught by Stiaan van Zyl off the bowling of Dane Paterson.
The Cobras’ chase got off to a shaky start as both openers
were back in the hut after just six overs. Wickets continued to tumble as the
Warriors looked on course to claim a shock victory over the high-flying
Capetonians before Dane Vilas joined Justin Ontong at the crease. The two
showed all of their experience as they clawed their way back into the game.
Vilas was at his brilliant best as he blasted his way to a 70-ball 105 while
Ontong was watchful at the other end for his 60. The Cobras would eventually go
on claim a five-wicket victory.
were back in the hut after just six overs. Wickets continued to tumble as the
Warriors looked on course to claim a shock victory over the high-flying
Capetonians before Dane Vilas joined Justin Ontong at the crease. The two
showed all of their experience as they clawed their way back into the game.
Vilas was at his brilliant best as he blasted his way to a 70-ball 105 while
Ontong was watchful at the other end for his 60. The Cobras would eventually go
on claim a five-wicket victory.
The Cobras should field a full-strength side on Tuesday as they
look to put the final touches on their preparation for the final. We’re still
unsure as to whether or not any of the Cobras’ players will be realised from
the national side as the T20 squad to take on England had not been announced at
the time of publishing. They could well be able to field JP Duminy if he is
surplus to requirements, although that seems unlikely following his inclusion
in the World T20 squad.
look to put the final touches on their preparation for the final. We’re still
unsure as to whether or not any of the Cobras’ players will be realised from
the national side as the T20 squad to take on England had not been announced at
the time of publishing. They could well be able to field JP Duminy if he is
surplus to requirements, although that seems unlikely following his inclusion
in the World T20 squad.
Verdict: Cape Cobras 9/20
While a Cobras’ win doesn’t really offer you much value at
9/20, you’d be silly to back the Knights in search of a big pay out. Back the
Cobras to stroll past what I imagine will be a slightly weakened Knights side,
and at 9/20, looks a banker for your mid-week multiple.
9/20, you’d be silly to back the Knights in search of a big pay out. Back the
Cobras to stroll past what I imagine will be a slightly weakened Knights side,
and at 9/20, looks a banker for your mid-week multiple.
